Rampworx recently teamed up with Claremount Specialist Sports College to deliver a brilliant 6 week health and sports related project and designed to address a range of health issues and behaviours that they were particularly vulnerable to; including poor diet, obesity, lack of exercise.
Claremount School, which is based in Moreton, Wirral works with pupils aged 11-16 with varying learning difficulties, ranging from ADHD, Aspergers and Autism. The purpose of the school is to identify the learning difficulties of each student in order to provide individual education plans to promote and enhance academic, personal and social skills. The curriculum enables students to be prepared for the adult world, encouraging self-sufficiency and confidence to work successfully within society.
This was a great opportunity for Rampworx to get out into the community and impact on the lives on some vulnerable young people. Teachers from Claremount, identified young people to attend the project. Each weekly session consisted of 45-60mins focusing on a specific health theme, such as diet, exercise and water intake. This was then followed by 2 hours of extreme sports coaching which included scooter and BMX with all equipment and ramps provided. A real challenge for some young people was the lack of skills and confidence that they had in participating in the sports that we cater for. Some had never ridden a bike before and others, because of their disability, could not even stand on a scooter. However, after a few sessions every single pupil had made real progress with their motor skills, confidence and health behaviours. Rewards and incentives were given to pupils who made particular effort with stickers, hats, and wrist bands.
Each child was individually assessed prior to, during and at the end of the project to evaluate how they have improved their knowledge, health, confidence and other personal skills over the course of the project. This included height, weight, diet and medication, if appropriate. On a weekly basis, we recorded activity levels, eating habits, water intake and the reduction of junk food and increase of healthy foods. There were weekly presentations and practical sessions hosted by the teachers at Claremont who did some great work in educating and encouraging the young people to eat and drink more healthily whilst improving their activity levels.
The final session took place at Rampworx, with 15 school children getting the whole skatepark to themselves. Overall the project was a fantastic success. Over 40 school children accessed the project an gained a whole host of useful skills and knowledge about how to live healthier lives with practical and meaning ways to implement it.
The next Rampworx outreach project is due to start in the New Year with a group of vulnerable young people in Seacombe, Liscard and Wallasey. We’ll be sure to get of video of that too!
For more information about Rampworx could help your school, please contact Tony Berry on 0151 530 1500, or fill in our booking form!
