Church of Ascension and LeisureSK team up to launch new youth group in Harrowby area which will encourage fitness

A new youth group will soon be launched and will be free to attend for the first month.

The Church of Ascension in Edinburgh Road is partnering with LeisureSK to establish Fitness for Fun, a new group for young people.

It will launch on Friday October 20 between 6.15pm and 8pm at the Ascension Church Hall, and is aimed at youngsters aged between 11 and 16.

Reverend Sam Parsons, vicar of the Church of Ascension, is part of the team behind the group and noted her excitement about the project.

“There is currently no provision for young people in this area since the youth club on New Beacon Road closed down a few years ago,” explained Rev. Sam.

“We are delighted that LeisureSK have agreed to partner with us providing an amazing fitness instructor, Ricky Pereira, and all the equipment for these fun activities that will also benefit the health and wellbeing of young people in our community.”

The group is free for the first month and there will be boxing exercises as well as dance and aerobics with glow sticks.

It will take place every Friday and there will also be refreshments.

The sessions will cost £1 each after the first month and parental consent is needed.

Ricky, the fitness instructor who will run the activities, added: “I’m really excited to be teaching kids and looking forward to releasing my own inner child and having great fun with the young people of Harrowby.

“Exercise not only changes your body, it changes your mind, your attitude and your mood. I can’t wait to start!”

Jonathan Harrold, the general manager of the Meres Leisure Centre, has kindly agreed to support the group.

He said: ‘We have been given a fantastic opportunity to reach out to these kids and show them what good exercise looks like.

“LeisureSK’s mission is to provide a physical activity and wellness network for our community, promoting healthy lifestyles, supporting wellbeing and inspiring everyone to live a more active life.

“To us it’s not just an exercise class, it’s the beginning of a new link for our community.”

Curtis Devereux, health and fitness manager at the Meres Leisure Centre, has been coordinating this project with Ricky and Rev. Sam.

He said: “I’m super excited to get this project started because we have been working really hard to create some classes that will give the kids the biggest and best benefits through exercise, social connection and having fun.”

If anyone would like to find out more, please contact Rev. Sam at rev.samparsons@gmail.com or 01476 574145 for more details.