Swindon Tri-Active Project
Most Significant Change Workshop – Monday 28th April 2014
AimTo collect individual personal stories showing how the project has improved participants’ lives.
Rationale:The workshop allows us to identify examples which highlight the impact of the Tri-Active project, using personal stories shared in a group environment.
Objectives:
- Describe stories from participants which show the impact of the project on their lives
- Identify which story best shows the impact of the project
- Measure physical activity levels before and after they joined the project.
‘How has your life changed since the project started?’
1. Fateha Basith is 35 and lives in Swindon town centre. Fateha started swimming with the project in November 2013 and how takes part in weekly Tri-Active swimming running and cycling sessions.
‘In February I actually weighed 14 stone and it really hurt my heart a lot and the doctor had a good scolding at me and told me to try doing more activity, I saw a poster and started swimming in November, the centre also had a gym and I thought“I’m joining the gym as well”! So I’m basically in and out, so I’m like non-stop, I’ll be in 5 to 6 times a week. Then the Tri-Active running session started, and then cycling. Cycling was a bonus as I never knew I could cycle in my life, leaning to ride was like a triumph for me, it was like a determination and I realised some things about myself which I don’t like and do like, I do have a really competitive side.
It initially took me about 8 to 9 months to lose a stone, it was really hard and it’s just taken me 4 months just to lose another stone healthily and it was such a relief because half the time I think “oh I can lose another stone this year”! With this project in particular I’ve set myself some goals, what I want to do and what I want to actually achieve isstart going to work, this year I’m really going to start losing weight, eat more healthily. I’ll go to the gym, when I’m free I’ll go to the gym for one hour, I’ll be running, sweating tonnes and enjoying myself basically. So yeah, this has been absolutely brilliant.
Before the housework was like top priority, you had cooking to do and the rest of it and you had no other time. Now I have to think, I’ve got swimming, cooking tonight, I’m thinking ahead!
I never knew I could run and cycle in a Hijab, I was like, what? You can do that? Next, I find myself doing more because I can go out and exercise in my Hijab. People ask me, don’t I get sweaty? And I’m like no, I get excited!’
Fateha was given a free ‘Leisure Card’ when she first started the project and now has upgraded to a ‘Leisure Passport’ which means Fateha pays a monthly fee and has access to all of Swindon’s fitness opportunities. Fateha is now a keen runner and hopes to take part in the ‘Race for Life 5k’ in 2015 and has been identified as a Run Leader for the future.Since Fateha registered for the project her physical activity levels have increased from 2 times per week to 7 times per week.
2. Sajida Afzal, 49 from Liden, Swindon is currently taking part in weekly swimming and cycling sessions. Sajida was introduced to the project by her cousin as she wanted to learn how to swim.
‘The thing with me is I’m over domesticated, so for me to do it, it had to be something exciting to get me out of the house. I’ve always fancied being a swimmer and my cousin told me about swimming lessons taking place. I just straightaway decided to come and then I was able to pass information on to my sister in law, now she comes as well. I wanted to learn as I was the only person in the house who couldn’t swim.
I am now learning to ride a bike too, I thought I could only do one session a week but now I feel confident to try new things and I want to take these opportunities.’
3. Narinder Janjua is 64 and from Swindon town centre. Narinder has been attending weekly Tri-Active ‘Learn to Swim’ sessions and also weekly cycling sessions. Narinder was signposted to the project by a Council Health Ambassador.
‘Before I joined the project I was too scared to go in the water, and when I heard about adult ladies only lessons, I thought I’ll have a go, but then I called my sister the next day and said I’m not going, I don’t like water, I might drown in the swimming pool, and it was Munira my Health Ambassador who persuaded me to go swimming and have a go and see how it goes. I’ve never looked back. I love swimming now, I look forward to my week now, and I look forward to the sessions on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. I’m an outgoing person and you meet a lot of new people, and I look forward to that rather than staying at home.
I think I’m doing good in cycling now, and I really enjoy swimming.’
4. Seema Shihaz, 34 is new to the project (April 2014) and is currently leaning to swim at the Health Hyrdo every Monday morning. Seema moved to the UK in 2003 and since has felt isolated, the project has helped her engage with the community and make new friends.
‘I haven’t got a job so I was a bit down, I had depression and always emotional. For 3 months, or 4 months I was like that, then I joined this group, one lady introduced me to it and said come for a swim. I have now joined other community groups and found out I have high cholesterol so I joined the gym too. So that gave me something to do. Whilst I was doing the activities I was getting a bit positive, I was coming out of everything and I was enjoying that. I started as one of those people who thought exercise was not for me, food is for me! So I used to eat everything unhealthy and just sit. Then I changed my attitude completely, I said no, this is the time, now every time I work out I get that buzz.
I’m proud I am learning to swim. It’s great I’m doing something that I really wanted to learn and I just went into the water, exactly like everybody else would, and was holding the part of the wall and was just walking through the water thinking and thinking wow, am I really doing this?.’
5. Ade Morris, 50 from Swindon, town centre currently attends the ‘Learn to Swim’ sessions. Ade joined the project after seeing some promotional material.
‘I think Seema really hit the nail on the head when they said it helps to relieve some social isolation. That is a very important part of cycling and swimming, you can go for a walk on your own but it’s so much different when there are other people there. They provide you with motivation, like I wouldn’t go for the running but I do love the swimming.
I’m not a great swimmer, but I am now in the improvers group. It’s just nice with other ladies there. I enjoy the relaxed atmosphere in the pool and I enjoy the company.
6. Edyta Buczkowska-Michalak is 37 and from the town centre. Edyta was referred by a friend. Edyta was inactive before starting the project and attends the improvers Tri-Active swimming session once a week – and now also swims during mainstream lane sessions and goes to a Zumba class.
‘I wanted to say being a part of this project has given us an argument as well, because when I joined the gym I was questioned by my family “do you really need to go?” Do you really need to go to Zumba? Now I’m saying I’m involved in a project, I have to go;then there’s no other discussion, there is no other plans, you know, there’s not such a pressure, because they understand that I’m doing something with a group!
Because, it’s got a big name, because it’s got so much to offer and it’s official, it’s kind of easier for me. It’s like having power.’
Participation levels
We also took the opportunity to measure physical activity levels of the workshop participants before and after they registered with the project. We asked two questions:
- Before the project - in an average week on how many days did you do 30 minutes of sport and/or recreational physical activity?
- Now - in an average week on how many days did you do 30 minutes of sport and/or recreational physical activity?
6 out of the 10 workshop participants said that before getting involved they were completely inactive and said they did no sport and/or recreational physical activity during the week.
The table below shows the average increase of the group was 2.6 times x 30 minutes of PA a week since they have been in the project.
Average before / 1.2Average after / 3.8
Average increase / 2.6
It’s worth noting that 60% of the sample (6 out of 10) were completely inactive before project (0x30min per week) now these 6 participants are active for on average 2.6 x 30min per week.
Feedback from Leisure Centre
The Tri-Active ‘Ladies Only – Be a Swimmer’ session has been delivered at the Health Hydro Pool in Swindon town centre, since the project started the centre has seen an increase in attendance in the mainstream ‘Ladies only lanes’ sessions and ‘Aquafit’ sessions; lots of the new swimmers are taking the opportunity to swim more than once a week; this is very positive as it shows the ladies in the project are enjoying swimming and making use of existing sessions.
Leisure centre staff have commented that many project participants have booked their children onto swimming lessons at the Health Hydro pool since the project started. We believe that if you give a positive experience to residents they will continue to attend and also book their children onto activities and tell friends and family about opportunities at our centers which are community hubs. We are pleased with this secondary outcome as are building customers of the future and the children will hopefully participant in life long physical activity – breaking the cycle of a ‘non swimming’ family.
Summary
From all the stories we have been able to identify common themes that have made the project a success.
- Sessions were appealing and accessible to those who were previously inactive.
- Sessions were affordable - cost had been a barrier to many before
- Ladies only sessions are essential
- Making new friends and the general social side of the sessions is as important as the physical activity
- Inclusive attitude of project staff was valued
- Sessions designed for all ability levels
- Promote sessions as open to all and encourage “beginners” by offering “learn to” sessions.
- Offer free or low cost sessions to start with, increase cost incrementally.
- Participants are willing to pay more and sign-up for longer term membership once they feel more involved
- Promote social aspects as well as health gains
- Project participants taking part in other mainstream activities at Leisure Centres now they are confident and have had a positive experience there.
- Many ladies want to learn how to swim so they can swim their children in pools and on holiday.
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If you would like any further information please do not hesitate to contact.
Ben Humphrey
Tri-Active Project Coordinator
Email: Tel: 01793 465404