Author: Ola Durotoye

Project Active – a partnership between Central YMCA and KCBNA

Posted on by Ola Durotoye

Project Active – a partnership between Central YMCA and KCBNA

Helping local young people improve their fitness, mental health and wellbeing

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Central YMCA has partnered with KCBNA, a local community organisation based in Kings Cross.

We are working with KCBNA’s Youth Services to provide access to facilities to deliver Project Active for vulnerable and disadvantaged young people. Project Active helps young people aged 12 to 19, who are unmotivated and physically inactive to improve their fitness, mental health, wellbeing  and confidence in a safe and secure environment.

Remon, one of the participants said about his experience: “Project Active has allowed me to regain my fitness and better my physical health. It’s also impacted my mental health in a positive way because it gives me something to do and socialise with fellow gym buddies which was especially needed after spending a few difficult months in lockdown.”

The participants

The young people who use the youth service are primarily from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities and 80% fall into one or more of the following categories:  

parents are on welfare benefits
live in overcrowded households 
low educational attainment 
lack of confidence in future prospects  
at risk of getting involved in low level crime

Gym sessions at Central YMCA Club

Project Active participants have weekly access to Central YMCA Club and to gym sessions with trained fitness instructors such as Personal Trainer, Taz Ahmed and Central YMCA’s Children and Young People Manager, Muminur Jalil. The instructors work closely with the young people to encourage them to diversify their approach to physical activity and healthy living. Exercise sessions span a wide variety of activities including aerobics, weightlifting, skipping and long-distance running as well as mental wellbeing workshops. 

“The project engages young people who simply cannot afford to pay for a gym membership, giving them a positive healthy alternative to negative influences around them. We have seen notable change in young people’s confidence and attitudes towards their mental health and physical fitness.” – Muminur Jalil, Central YMCA

“As kids enter their teen years, they might lose interest in physical activity. Between school, homework, friends, and even part-time jobs, they’re juggling a lot of interests and responsibilities. Regular physical activity can help young people maintain a healthy weight and prevent heart disease, diabetes, and other medical problems later in life. This project helps young people feel more energetic, improve focus and attention, and promote a better outlook.” – Taz Ahmed, Project Active Personal Trainer (Tfitnesspt)

Healthy cooking workshops

The project also incorporates regular healthy cooking sessions, giving young people the opportunity to engage in food preparation whilst learning the nutritional value of food and the importance of a balanced diet for long-term physical health and mental wellbeing. For many of the participants, fast food and fizzy drinks were seen as a quick and cheap option, but feedback from the young people and their parents has shown that they are taking their knowledge home, becoming more health conscious and helping to prepare meals for the family.

The impact of Covid-19

Projects like this are essential for young people now more than ever as research has shown the Covid-19 pandemic has had a heavy impact in young people’s mental health and physical wellbeing and the effects of this will be felt for many months to come. 

How to join

Project Active meets at Central YMCA Club every Wednesday from 6-9pm. If you would like to join the group, email shofi.muhammod@kcbna.org.uk 

Find out more about KCBNA

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Championing diversity in the UK’s first ever Race Equality Week

Posted on by Ola Durotoye

Championing diversity in the UK’s first ever Race Equality Week

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Logo for Race Equality Week, 1-7 February 2021, with a green leaf symbol.

Central YMCA is excited to announce its participation in UK’s first ever Race Equality Week, as it unites in activity with hundreds of other organisations between the 1st and 7th of February to seriously address race in the workplace.

A UK-wide initiative, Race Equality Week was launched by community interest company Race Equality Matters to turn words into action; a movement spurred on by the events of 2020 which have heightened the country collective consciousness of the racism, inequality and injustice experienced by ethnic minority people. 

As the pandemic continues to disrupt ‘business as usual,’ and many people enter the new year longing for things to go back to normal, the message of Race Equality Week is simple: normal is not good enough. Let’s not go back to normal.  

Normal is 75% of ethnic minorities experiencing racism in the workplace.
Normal is a third of FTSE 100 companies having no ethnic minority board members. 
Normal is graduates from minority backgrounds being twice as likely to be unemployed.

It is time for a change. Now is the time to act!  

So we are asking our community to join us and thousands of others by participating in Race Equality Week and taking meaningful action towards tackling the barriers to race equality. 

There are four key ways to get involved:  

Virtual Badge Campaign: devised by the co-creator of the Green Ribbon Mental Health Campaign; A visible movement of support for race equality. 
The Big Promise: a commitment to action, not words. Individuals and / or organisations make a public commitment to create a positive change.
Safe Space: which guides conversation into action. This initiative helps organisations enable a meaningful and purposeful dialogue between board members and ethnic minority employees. 
Do your own thing, as devised by your ethnic minority employees or race network. 

Race Equality Matters was Co-Founded by Green Park and The Collaboratory, and supported by other diversity championing organisations: BT, Data & Marketing Association, AggioSergeant, Flair, Edelman, Diversity UK, the governance forum, Mental Health First Aid England, #Talkaboutblack, & The Diversity Digest.

For more information and to sign up to participate, visit raceequalitymatters.com.

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Kickstart has made a significant difference to our business

Posted on by Ola Durotoye

Kickstart has made a significant difference to our business

The Kickstart scheme has allowed Ken to grow his business and Holly to start a new career.

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Ken is growing his business and Holly is starting a new career

Antiques retailer Manningtree Emporium was hit hard by lockdown, but with the help of the Kickstart Scheme, the Emporium has managed to fund placements for two new employees to help launch a successful online operation and keep the business afloat in difficult times. 

With lockdown, income stopped overnight 

“The 2020 Covid-19 crisis and national lockdowns made it very clear that our company could not survive with its simple, single tier retail strategy as most of our income was coming from face-to-face sales. In March 2020, when the first lockdown started, our income stopped overnight so we made an immediate decision to invest in online selling, supported by a comprehensive social media and promotion campaign. 

We needed more manpower 

We soon realised that we did not have enough manpower to cope with the huge amount of extra work needed to create, launch and maintain a viable online selling strategy and with limited resources results were disappointing.” 

The Kickstart scheme was the answer to our problems 

In July 2020, the Government announced the Kickstart Scheme as a way to support young people and the wider economy through the COVID-19 pandemic. The scheme funds the hiring of unemployed young people, aged between 16 and 24 into meaningful 6-month placements as well as covering setup and training costs for the new employees.  

“The extra people we have been able to employ using the Kickstart funding are making a significant difference to our business. We have employed Holly to handle all of our social media activity and online marketing content. This has already resulted in increased traffic and sales from our still basic e-commerce website and a large growth in the number of people who follow our company’s activities. A second young person, will be hired soon to handle our website listings and a new sales channel of Online Timed Auctions.

Central YMCA has given us invaluable guidance 

We must praise the help and support of the Central YMCA in guiding us through the application process and in providing ongoing support and employability training for our new employees. As a small company, their help has been invaluable. 

We hope to make these jobs permanent 

Our plan for the future of our two new members of staff is to develop their individual roles so that their jobs become self-funding and permanent. We sincerely feel that the six months of funding from the Kickstart scheme will provide enough time for us to achieve this as both positions will generate revenue over and above our regular sales income. We are already working on plans for new sales channels where we would hope to employ further young people through the Kickstart scheme.”  

Supporting youth employment 

Holly Leach, 19, is Manningtree Emporium’s first Kickstart employee and she was also hit hard by the pandemic. Young people are one of the groups hardest hit by the pandemic as jobs have dried up in some sectors. According to the Office of National Statistics, the unemployment rate among young people has reached 14.6%, far higher than the overall rate of 4.8%. 

“I worked at a cafe and was made redundant due to Coronavirus. I wasn’t able to afford my basic payments such as my car insurance, which was very frustrating and stressful. The Kickstart Scheme has massively helped me because the opportunity came up to work at Manningtree Emporium and now I am able to work doing something I love!   

Videography & photography are my passion and here I get to photograph items and I have also created videos promoting the shop. I am really enjoying working with social media so this is a possible career option for me.” 

Could you offer a young person a funded 6-month placement in your business? 

Central YMCA are a Kickstart gateway organisation and so can offer you full support including taking care of all administration.

Find out more and get free advice

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Central YMCA partner with Nike to ‘power up’ the new-look FTA

Posted on by Ola Durotoye

Central YMCA partner with Nike to ‘power up’ the new-look FTA

Creating a more inclusive fitness industry for future generations

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Central YMCA has joined forces with Nike to re-launch the ‘YMCA Fitness Training Academy

Central YMCA has joined forces with Nike to re-launch the ‘YMCA Fitness Training Academy – Powered by Nike’, which is a free, two year Personal Training course and alternative to A-Levels or college. Together, they’re breaking barriers to empower and support even more 16 to 18 year olds into the fitness industry.

Two great brands, one common goal – to make the fitness industry as accessible as possible for young people. This sector still has barriers to entry, which prevent the next generation from fulfilling their potential and having successful careers.

Central YMCA and Nike want to create more sustainable employment opportunities in an industry which young people are passionate about. ‘YMCA Fitness Training Academy – Powered by Nike’ embodies Central YMCA’s mission to change lives through education and wellbeing and Nike’s vision of empowering young people through sport.

Three big barriers

Kerry Williams, Nike Training Brand Manager, explains why it’s so important for young people to overcome obstacles into the fitness industry:   

“There’s an entry cost. If you want to be a PT, you have to have money to be able to exercise, which means it’s not a very inclusive industry.

Secondly, we feel that the courses available are not robust enough to set young people up with a long term, successful career. There’s not enough practical input – we want to improve the level of education on offer.

Thirdly, there’s a massive lack of diversity. There’s also a huge drop off in sport participation for women – our research indicates that they feel that it’s just not for them.”

Ultimately, if Nike want to change the industry, we have to be part of the solution.”

Best of both worlds

Both brands bring a lot to the table. Since 1977, Central YMCA has delivered relevant training and qualifications to over 160,000 learners and Nike has over 25 years’ industry expertise, providing high-quality fitness footwear and apparel to improve performance. Rob Johnson, Central YMCA’s Director of Education and Training, says the partnership has mutual benefits:

“This partnership is really big. Central YMCA is providing education expertise while Nike has the ability to engage with young people in the right way, which gives us the opportunity to promote the FTA.

It’s a win, win. Nike is a very well known, loved brand, which particularly appeals to young people – that’s powerful.”

Nike could have partnered with other training providers, but Kerry says Central YMCA’s reputation and longevity shone through:

“YMCA have been at the forefront of fitness for over 175 years. It’s the oldest institution in the fitness sector, so it’s very trusted and professional. They never waver from putting young people at the heart of what they do – their pastoral care is amazing.
It’s not about profit or prestige, it’s about doing the right thing. That’s why Nike are working with Central YMCA.”

So what’s changed?

The course continues to include essential maths and English, practical work placements and strong pastoral support, but how will Nike add value?

Previously, the two year FTA course comprised of two main qualifications (Level 2 Gym Instructor and Level 3 Personal Trainer). Now, there are an additional seven new Continuous Professional Development (CPD) modules based on real industry experience, designed to equip learners with essential tools such as ‘Business Skills’, ‘Boxing Padwork’ and ‘Coaching Mindsets’.

Each CPD module is developed and delivered by an experienced Nike Trainer from a nationwide, diverse pool of talented and inspiring people. Each Trainer has been on their own journey and will be able to relate to learners in specific locations. 

Both tutors and learners will be provided with the “latest and greatest” Nike kit, such as T-shirts, shorts and tracksuits, with the aim of boosting confidence, creating a team environment and promoting comfort and safety whilst exercising.

Nike are offering free entry into various events such as Hackney Moves and the European Championships, plus learners can also take advantage of a range of exclusive Nike offers or ‘unlocks’ such as free fitness classes and other rewards.

There are currently 72 students studying at the FTA across London, Leeds, Manchester, Norwich and Ipswich. Over the next three years, the new partnership hopes to boost numbers to 250.

The power of belonging

Nike and Central YMCA both want to create a culture of inclusion through the new FTA and inspire future industry role models to live out those values. Rob Johnson explains:

“Nike are creating champions – it’s not just about the kit! It’s about relationships.
As a charity, creating community is much more important to us. Our relationship with Nike supports these young people through a meaningful learning journey, and hopefully, a meaningful career as part of a broader community.”

Kerry Williams agrees:

“We want to add value. We don’t just want to add swooshes and brand everything! We want to create a family culture.

We want to instil a team spirit that gives everyone a purpose. With each YMCA centre, we want to recreate those local identities and connect them altogether under the FTA banner. We want everyone to buy into it and feel very privileged to be part of this course.”

“It doesn’t matter where you’re from – everyone is accepted”

18 – year – old FTA student, Goku Nsudoh-Parish from Kennington, loves the feeling of ‘oneness’ on the course:

“When I go out and wear my Nike / YMCA kit, it gives me a sense of pride to know that although I’m an individual, I’m actually part of a collective as well. Everyone has a different background, but we’re brought together.

It doesn’t matter where you’re from, everyone is accepted. Brands like YMCA and Nike value you for who you are and don’t judge you. I didn’t know much about the YMCA before, but now I love them. I really like what they’re doing for young people. They give us an opportunity to do so much with our lives.”

Person lifting weights in a gym with two trainers observing.
Person lifting weights at a gym, wearing a Nike tank top.

Aliesha Adia Brown – a fellow FTA student from Richmond, also feels excited about Nike’s involvement:

“It’s inspiring – partnering with Nike is quite cool. They have refreshed the course.

Nike support everyone, from young kids to grannies. They bring everyone from anywhere together. That’s what they do.

The Nike Trainers have got experience and come from different backgrounds. It makes me think that I can be like them or even better than them one day. I have the potential to do whatever I want to do.”

“Our graduates will have a head start over everyone else”

Central YMCA and Nike believe that ‘Fitness Training Academy – Powered by Nike’ is built for the next generation of Personal Trainers, unlike most Level 2 or Level 3 fitness programme currently available on the market. Kerry concludes:

“We hope to bridge the gap between the classroom and the real world. We’re empowering young people to contribute to both their community and the fitness industry. Our graduates will have a head start over everyone else. Having learnt from the best in the industry, they will be confident and leave with a great mindset, knowing what their purpose is.

Health and wellbeing is such a big thing. Sport and fitness can address many issues like mental health, lack of confidence or loneliness. The future is in the hands of the youth and creating future role models who can enable others, is the most important thing for us.”

Next Course – September 2022

We’re currently recruiting for our next YMCA Fitness Training Academy – Powered by Nike, which will run in London, Leeds, Lincoln, Manchester, Doncaster, Norwich and Ipswich.

If you’re aged 16 to 18 and want to kick-start your fitness career with a free two-year government-funded, Ofsted regulated course, you can find out more here.

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Goku: “It’s a very welcoming community & I have grown as a person”

Posted on by Ola Durotoye

Goku: “It’s a very welcoming community & I have grown as a person”

Fitness Training Academy – Powered by Nike, Learner

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At 3’ 5”, 11-year-old Goku from Kennington, was the shortest kid in school. In the face of ridicule, he used sport and Calisthenics to channel his anger. Now 18, the FTA Nike student and international competitor aspires to become a Personal Trainer and is adored by over 3,000 fans

Fitness is freedom

Goku performing a squat with a barbell at a gym.

“When I was young, I was really, really short. I was bullied throughout my whole primary school years because of my height. When I reached Year 7, I was the shortest person in the whole school. I was 3’ 5”, but everyone else was 5’ 3”. I felt like I was in a group of really tall people and I didn’t feel like myself.

I was bullied so much, I stayed quiet – I didn’t want to interact with other people. I always felt they were judging me. When you’re around people who take the mick, it doesn’t help you mentally – it makes you beat yourself up. I used to think, ‘Why did I have to be so short? Why me?’ Although I was picked on in the classroom, PE was my escape. I developed a passion for rugby, karate and gymnastics.

When we played ‘bulldog’ outside, I ran away from everyone. It was my way of letting out my anger. I had two hours of freedom every week to be myself and release my emotions. It was my break from this world.

Discovering Calisthenics 

When I got to secondary school, I didn’t want to be bullied again – that was the only thing on my mind. From the age of 12, I started doing sport where I could build muscle. I wanted to make myself less of a target. Although I was short, I could at least become muscular.

My Spanish Teacher introduced me to Calisthenics, which is similar to gymnastics. You basically train with your own body weight using pull ups, dips and push ups, etc, rather than using external weights. I was afraid of using free weights in case they stunted my growth.

As my training continued, I managed to avoid being bullied in secondary school and became more popular. Calisthenics saved me from being someone I didn’t want to be. My Spanish teacher gave me hope that no matter what, there is always something that I can do to change the situation I’m in. Now I’m 5’4” and known as the kid who can do ‘cool bar stuff.’

Finding the Fitness Training Academy – Powered by Nike

I’ve always had a passion for sport and science – I love everything about the human body. I didn’t do A Levels, I did a medical course at college instead – a Level 3 BTEC in Science. I thought I’d be an Orthopaedic Surgeon, but I didn’t enjoy the course. The harder I worked, the more I realised it just wasn’t for me.

My mum didn’t want me to leave the course, but I was thinking more about other people rather than what I wanted to do. When I did leave, my only income was from a part time cleaning job. I didn’t have any qualifications or a proper job. I told my mum that I really wanted to be a Personal Trainer and do something around sports, because that’s where I can really be myself.  I needed to be a PT not just for money, but for me.

My mum looked for PT courses, but they were like £2,000, £3,000 and I simply didn’t have the money. Then she saw the Fitness Training Academy – powered by Nike online – a free two year PT course for 16 to 18 year olds. I was the first person to turn up for my interview! I couldn’t wait to start!

“My two passions have converged into one”

“The FTA course is just as good as I expected it to be. I enjoy everything about it. We recently studied anatomy – it’s like sports and science coming together. I love it! My two passions have converged into one. It’s amazing! Ula is a really good teacher. I can’t wait to get through all of the material.”

“I’m even enjoying the free weights now! It’s a new opportunity. If I’m going to be short, so be it. Playing sports, learning sports and training people with sports is my passion, so there’s no point worrying about free weights. I’m happy with my height now regardless, but if I grow, I grow.”

Be true to yourself

“When I started the course, I thought I would be back in a school environment where I would be anxious and everyone would start judging me, but it’s really not like that. The FTA is a very welcoming community and I’ve really grown as a person.

If sport is your passion and you’ve got the opportunity to do a free government funded course, powered by Nike, do it! You will enjoy it. If you’re sitting at home not doing anything, find some motivation, get up and do something. There’s more to life than Fortnite!”

Goku Nsudoh-Parish is a first year Fitness Training Academy student.

In Oct 2019, Goku won first place in the Calisthenics SK BARS Championships in Madrid.

Next Course – September 2022

We’re currently recruiting for our next YMCA Fitness Training Academy – Powered by Nike, which will run in London, Leeds, Manchester, Doncaster, Norwich and Ipswich.

If you’re aged 16 to 18 and want to kick-start your fitness career with a free two-year government-funded, Ofsted regulated course, you can find out more here.

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