London youth project scoops health & fitness 'Oscar'

A youth sports project run by Mytime Active has scooped a national trophy for improving the lives of young people at the 2015 ukactive Flame Awards – the ‘Oscars’ of the health, fitness and physical activity sector.

Mytime Active’s flagship community sports project, MyFuture, were presented with the  ‘Shaping Young Lives‘ award by Tanni Grey-Thompson for a scheme in Bromley, south London, that significantly shaped the lives of young people through physical activity.

MyFuture provides free, bespoke, weekly sport and physical activity programmes for young people in the heart of two of the most disadvantaged communities in Bromley – Orpington and the Cray Valley wards (ranked 20% most deprived in England by National Deprivation Index Statistics).

Mytime Active’s Chief Executive Marg Mayne said: “We’re delighted that the pioneering work of Mytime Active has been acknowledged as the best in its field. We know it gets results and it is simply fantastic that it has now been recognised by experts and our peers in the sector. Its success also derives from the fact that it has been shaped by the young people themselves.”

The project was developed in 2008 when key stakeholders such as Safer Neighbourhood Panel members advised that young people in these areas were most in need of positive activities.  It was recognised that residents within these delivery wards have some of the most acute health issues – including smoking, obesity and inactivity. In response to this need Mytime Active developed, managed and part-funded Myfuture as part of the organisations commitment to invest in local communities. 

Other partners and funders include Bromley Council, Affinity Sutton Housing Association, the Priory Academy and the StreetGames (Doorstep Sports Club initiative). In addition to offering a free weekly programme of activities suggested by local residents, the project offers the young people a range of volunteering, training and mentoring opportunities to empower the next generation of young leaders in sport.

Mytime Active’s Healthy Powerful Communities programme in Scotland was also a finalist in The Health Partnerships category for successfully empowering families to become fitter, healthier and happier through our Mind Exercise Nutrition...Do It! (MEND) programmes.