Meeting Gym - Link up with Kelvin College

This year once again has seen the re-introduction of the ‘Meeting Gym’ Collaboration with Glasgow Sport.  Level 2 Learners from the ASN Department will work with Sports and Physical Activity Staff from Glasgow Sport in a range of activities designed to ignite their interest and provide them with the direction to make Sport and Physical Activity a part of their weekly routines. 

Collaboration – Why – Possible - GO!!!

After the successful Pilot Programme that pre-covid we hoped to build upon this success with the 2022 programme.   This was made possible with the forward thinking and Glasgow Club Access Cards that were issued to all ten members of the Glasgow Kelvin Class.  

Why?   We noticed that learners within the Level 2 Skills for Life Learning and Work Class all had their own ideas and opinions about health and exercise. And while it is would have been straight forward to take them to the GKC College Fitness Suites this would have been a temporary fix for what had become an obvious issue.    While boosting their physical fitness was something we could aim to encourage one day per week while the learner was at college it was clear that we needed a more sustainable solution.

Possible!   With the help of Glasgow Life Staff and in particular Disability Sports Officers and Sport and Physical Activity Programmers we were able to issue ‘Access Cards’ to each learner within the group.   This solution would allow the learner to attend the Gorbals Leisure Centre as part of their GKC Class before then having the fantastic option of choosing additional classes out-with their normal college lives.   This allowed these most vulnerable of learners to boost their confidence and skills in a variety of ways.   Checking in to a leisure centre and dealing with leisure centre staff was one of the first and most important skills learned within the group.   Selecting lockers and confidently using facilities was the next as learners became at ease with the process of attending this venue and others.   In addition to this working within different fitness based and sports situations was the next goal to reach, and this was achieved with learners confidently using and selecting machines within the Gorbals gym and later the Boccia Sessions they were invited into.

Go!!   Learners worked throughout the six weeks and as their physical and social confidence grew so did their own personal choices.  Glasgow Life Staff (mentioned above) supported each learner throughout the process, checking in and monitoring the learners, supplying qualified coaching staff throughout and as mentioned supplying the Access Cards that allowed even the most fiscally challenged learners to take part.  

Challenges

There are several Physical and Mental Challenges within the group as you would expect with this cohort of learners.   Aside from this the main challenge was confidence within social situations.   Learners within the programme have all commented on how being exposed to this social setting has helped them become more confident and at ease within such situations.  This was conformed throughout the Glasgow Kelvin College Programme evaluation supplied by Glasgow Disability Sport.

Positive Outcomes

There were obvious benefits to the programme that with each week are becoming increasingly clear. 

One learner commented that he loved using the technology on the Bikes and Treadmill’s, this particular learner suffers from fatigue but showed tremendous effort and interest in the activities held within the programme.  

Other learners showed a fantastic appetite for working on areas such as strength within the gym, showing new levels of independence and effort throughout.   Areas such as anxiety and negativity seemed to be dispelled when in week four learners independently selected fitness machines within the gym, learned how to use each machine safely with the help of the excellent Disability Sport Staff.

Aside from the obvious physical benefits of the programme Social Health was a massive positive generated by the programme.   Negative areas such as stress were eliminated from the performance of each learner after week three, by week six any stress or nervousness within the group had gone.  From a professional perspective this is the foundation upon which we can build genuine learning.   Learners are at ease and learn from one another in this environment building soft skills such as better decision making, dealing with potential conflict, teamwork and communication.

The Future & Need

Many of the learners within the group are at a level where they may not find employment as they progress out of their teens and into adulthood.  However, it is extremely important they continue to be a active member of society.   Indeed, this is one of the most important factors of the programme.  Instead of simply visiting their local shops or walking in the park providing them with the confidence to be regular participants in local gyms, fitness classes, swimming sessions, etc will be the vehicle they need to be recognised members of their local fitness communities.

The programme has shown that there may have to be a ‘launch pad’ for some learners within our college and our communities who require a joined approach between community health provides such as Glasgow Disability Sport and Glasgow Kelvin College.   Experience and experience of witnessing learners working within the ‘Meeting Gym Programme. Collaboration’ has shown that by working together and with Support Staff provided by external agencies that we can boost confidence, enhance learning and develop life skills that will benefit our young people as they move into adult hood and beyond.   

Learners showing strength and resilience to overcome the hurdles and barriers that they face on a weekly basis.   Joined up approaches such as this have shown to have tangible benefits.