New evaluation shows success of Change4Life Clubs
The latest independent evaluation into the Department of Health's Change4Life Sports Clubs, which are delivered by the Youth Sport Trust, shows the continued success of the programme and the positive impact the clubs are having on the lives of young people.
Change4Life Sports Clubs have been established to introduce a new and innovative type of club to appeal to children and young people who have not traditionally taken part in physical education or sport and are consequently less active.
They are designed to educate young people about how to lead a healthy active lifestyle. At primary level they are based around five different multi-sport themes - creative, adventure, target, flight and combat. In secondary schools the clubs are linked to Olympic and Paralympic sports.
The findings from the latest evaluation show that since the clubs started in 2011 an impressive 225,000 children have joined. In primary schools alone, 70,000 children took part in over 4000 primary school clubs in the last year with over 50,000 clubs sessions being put on for young people.
Since joining the primary clubs over 105,000 children now feel positive about being active and playing games, whilst almost 75,000 are now achieving 60 minutes of activity on most days of the week.
Importantly, the evaluation also shows that primary school teachers are overwhelmingly positive about the impact of the clubs on improving positive attitudes towards being active; increasing knowledge of healthy lifestyles; increasing confidence; and developing a sense of belonging amongst pupils.
Baroness Sue Campbell, Chair of the Youth Sport Trust, said:
"It is tremendous to see that the Change4Life Sports Clubs are having such a positive impact in schools across the country. We know that when young people lead healthy, active lifestyles they can perform better at school, have greater confidence and they can have a much higher level of self esteem. These are all critical steps in the development of young people as they progress through school."
Earlier this year the Department of Health announced a further £3 million investment to support and extend the delivery of the Change4Life Sports Club programme throughout England with a focus on 50 Local Authorities with the highest levels of childhood obesity. This support will include training for coaches and teachers who are delivering the clubs; developing Change4Life Young Champions (Years 5 and 6 pupils) who will deliver health and wellbeing messages in schools; and recruiting head teacher Change4Life advocates and lead schools.
For more information on Youth Sport Trust, visit their website.
