Active Angels

Active Angels is an innovative multi-activity project that aims to contribute to the health of 14-16 year old girls by encouraging and sustaining their participation in sport and physical activity. It focuses on girls who are at risk of adopting sedentary lifestyles once they have left school.

Launched in 2004 by the Minister for Public Health the project recognises that providing activities that the girls want to do in a non-judgemental way is key to addressing the drop off in participation once pupils leave school.

Working in partnership with schools, local authorities, governing bodies of sport and Primary Care Trusts the project illustrates the need for a much more customer focused approach when attempting to engage with semi-sporty teenage girls.

The programme, which takes place at the Peter May Sports Centre, has provided a range of 16 different activities to date. These include traditional sports such as badminton and hockey and newer activities such as streetdance, ice blading and pilates.

The project has delivered a series of healthy lifestyle workshops tackling issues such as healthy eating, drugs awareness and sexual health.

Between 30 and 50 girls attend each session and over a period of four years almost 5000 visits have been made to the project.

"I have been coming to Active Angels for over two years and I think that it is a wicked idea. It helps me keep fit and meet new people. Since starting Active Angels I try to come to the gym at least every day" - Sarah -an Active Angel!