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National Youth Homelessness Scheme
Physical activity including play
Physical activity is known to have a positive impact on both physical and mental health. An active lifestyle reduces the risk of chronic disease and can also benefit mental health by reducing feelings of anxiety and depression. It can improve body image and self confidence, and can contribute towards reducing the harm caused by substance misuse; providing a period of time when young people are engaged in positive activities and need to be free from drugs or alcohol.
However, physical activity levels in Britain are low and 49 per cent of young men and 72 per cent of young women (aged 16-24) do not achieve the recommended activity levels (Department of Health 2003). Increasing activity levels does not necessarily mean getting involved in sport; it can include physical activities such as gardening or simply walking rather than taking the bus. It is now widely accepted by Government and experts in the field, that one of the best forms of exercise for children and young people is physically active free play and informal recreation. For young parents it is important that they understand the positive impact of physical activity, including opportunities for play in young children.
Young people in supported housing are likely to face barriers to achieving an active lifestyle through a lack of awareness and a lack of confidence in using facilities and often a shortage of funding. Supported housing providers can help young people overcome these barriers through providing opportunities to engage in physical activity, increasing awareness and understanding of the impact and importance of an active lifestyle and supporting young people in accessing facilities.
Good practice by supported housing providers includes:
- Including physical activity in the support planning process
- Setting up links with local leisure centres to provide free or subsidised access to facilities
- Providing opportunities for physical activity such as an allotment
- Working with charitable organisations to enable young people to attend an outdoor activity centre and try out pursuits such as canoeing, climbing, or abseiling
- Setting up a five-a-side football team
- Setting up a jogging club or initiating a 'pedometer challenge' to encourage young people to walk the recommended 10,000 steps per day
- Inviting qualified instructors to run sessions in yoga, martial arts or aerobics within the project.
