During the Autumn, we met a group of lads during detached work in Coverdale who were keen to get involved in a social action project around homelessness.  Through conversation, it became clear this would be a gradual process as they needed to learn to take action for themselves before having the confidence to do it for others. They were interested in learning how to keep fit and to eat healthily and this developed into them taking part in weekly circuit training sessions and learning how to cook healthy meals, with the help of a nutritionist. They also organised a bowling and Nandos trip.  As their confidence has grown so has their participation in community activities - some now regularly attend M13's weekly basketball sessions, three spoke at M13’s AGM about what they've been doing and they participated in M13's community Christmas party, where they collected donations for the homeless. They continue to meet with M13 workers and are currently planning their social action project. The boys have said of the project; ‘I like coming here, it gets me out the house, otherwise there’s nothing to do’, ‘It reduces stress from school and exams’ (This project work was funded by Groundwork).

Over the summer we ran two, 6-week, Fun Science Clubs in Brunswick and Grove Village for children aged 6-11yrs.  The children took part in lots of activities, themed around science, with fun games and experiments and enjoyed a day out at the Eureka! Science Museum in Halifax.  Over 50 children attended the two clubs, which were funded by BBC Children in Need and Wellcome Trust.

Our annual Multi-sports sessions took place again throughout the school holidays with fun games and sports activities, such as stick cricket, dodge ball, parachute games, rounders.  Twice weekly sessions were held at Gartside Gardens, Brunswick, Wonderland Park, Coverdale and the Winterford Blue Sports Cage in Grove Village.  The amazing summer weather meant our sessions were more popular than ever with 140 local children participating!

In the Spring, we ran a 6-week dance project during which girls worked with a professional dance coach to learn the art of street dance. Not only did this give the girls an opportunity to gain body confidence and keep fit, it also gave them space  to have conversations with M13 workers to help them manage and work through pressures at school and friendship troubles. At the end of the project one girl said ‘I learnt how to build my confidence while dancing.’

(This project was partly funded by the Diane Modahl Sports Foundation)