Laois Sports Partnership

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July Provision Virtual Activities s o Laois Sports Partnership c July provision virtual activities for primary school children i a This year for July provision we made up bags of equipment for children and sent videos to all par- l ticipants. Participants enrolled with up to 50 activity packs distributed . Videos were sent with o fun games that can be played with the equipment Mid-Year Report 2020 INSIDE u t And zoom sessions held with fun and dance music with our Sport Leaders who usually help out at l our camps. OT & School e So far this year we have went from mass participation events such as t Operation Transformation to a virtual world. We are now entering a Programmes phase of adapting to a new normal and returning to sport. Laois a n Sports Partnership are committed to providing a safe and healthy Education & d return to sport environment for all our staff, coaches, tutors, participants and partner organisations. All LSP staff and contracted Training s tutors are responsible for the implementation of our COVID-19 Return o to Sport Protocols. In line with our Health & Safety guidelines we will c Communications i endeavour to provide a suitable and safe environment for activities to a take place and look forward to welcoming you all again. l General i Participation n t Programmes e r a Five Ways to c Wellbeing t i o n LSP Goes Virtual C r LSP Return to e Sport a t e

facebook.com/laoislsp a w a 057 867 1248 r Laois Sports Partnership @LaoisSportsLSP e n e [email protected] laoissportslsp s Portlaoise Leisure Centre, s

www.laoissports.ie Moneyballytyrrell, o

Laois Sports Partnership f Portlaoise, facebook.com/laoislsp Co. Laois Phone: 057 867 1248 A b Fax: 057 867 1253 b @LaoisSportsLSP Email: [email protected] e Web: www.laoissports.ie y l e laoissportslsp Portlaoise Leisure Centre, i Moneyballtyrrell, x Portlaoise, Laois Sports Partnership Co. Laois t e R32 YP11 n n i s Operation Transformation & School Programmes LSP Return to Sport

.Activator Training 1,100 people got out and active in Co Laois for Operation Transformation Nationwide walk Operation Transformation walks were held in conjunction with Sport Ireland and the Local Sports Partnership’s and the took place across 26 counties at 11am on Saturday 18th January. Fitwalk Ireland Frank Fahey delivered an ex- Along with the Emo Court & Parklands walk which was hosted by Laois Sports Partnership, we cellent "Activator Trainers Workshop" in were delighted to be supporting 11 community and walking groups to lead out OT walks in their own towns and parishes. In November we advertised on social media if communities were interest- Mountrath. ed in rolling out an OT Walk and to submit an expression of interest to our office. The interest was Activator poles can be used to enhance bal- excellent, and we ended up with walks taking place in Rosenallis, Portarlington, Kilcavan, Borris/ ance and other components of functional fit- Kilcotton, The Swan, Rathdowney, Stradbally/Ballykilcavan, Mountmellick, Shanahoe, Cullohill and ness. Mountrath. These events were part of a national initiative to promote the message that walking is a fun way for Participants attending the workshop learn people to get active as part of a healthier lifestyle. (a) how to effectively use ACTIVATOR poles to A huge turnout at Emo Court & Parklands for the Operation Transformation walk, registration and improve functional fitness; and parking were based at Emo Community Centre and Emo National School. (b) how to deliver our new ACTIVATOR Pro- gramme

Activator Pole Trainers Session in Derryounce Portarlington Getting the newly trained activator pole trainers to implement their learning from their Out- door Training in Mountrath.

LSP Primary Schools Athletics & Basketball Programmes Our 2019/2020 Primary Schools Athletics Programme was suc- cessfully delivered at 5 venues across the county, with approx. Walking 1,400 children taking part. The programme will be reviewed in the th Autumn to see in what capacity it can be delivered under social We re-commenced our Walking Group with our Woodlands for Health & Parkinsons group on 25 distancing regulations, subject to engagement from schools. June. This is going really well and everyone is delighted to be back with 15 participants walking weekly.

Our Primary Schools Basketball Coaching Programme, League & Blitz days have been postponed until further notice. In 2019 over 1,100 children received coaching, while approx. 1,200 took part in our league and blitz days. Efforts will be made to engage with schools in a limited capacity in the Autumn to deliver coaching elements of the programme.

Sports Leader Award Secondary School Programme

We have completed 1 Level 2 course with 21 participants in Rathdowney, LSP Return to Sport

. LSP Secondary School Programmes Our Teenscene Activity programme was delivered in Scoil Chríost Rí and Mountrath Community The Heath Golf th Course is in full School. A range of activities were delivered to pupils in TY and 5 year, including kick boxing, self swing with Get into defence, zumba, trampoline fitness and yoga. Further sessions for remaining schools have been Golf programme postponed until the Autumn pending consultation with schools, tutors and subject to social for women which distancing. commenced with an information night on 25th June Sport Leader Level 2 training was delivered to secondary school students in the Rathdowney area followed by a 6 with the aim of engaging them in our new Rathdowney Errill Activity Hub. Additional courses have week programme. postponed until further notice. An additional tutor has been trained up to deliver these courses which will increase our capacity to facilitate courses in the Autumn if schools are in a position to engage with us. Sport Leader UK have also developed an online course which may be an option for some schools instead.

LSP Activity Resources We have developed a series of Activity Resources aimed at supporting sport and physical activity 60 women at home while adhering to social distancing guideline. Included in the resources are games completed the Women in Sport Get into Golf Our Sport Leaders leading the way in Laois to get adapted for both children and adults to include physical activity such as Uno, Bingo, Dice Games, Spell Your Name etc, and other supports such as the Activity Pyramid, Daily Mile Challenge and Programme in The Heath GAA Golf Club. physically active Simple Games to Play at home. The Resources were intended to meet the initial need for families looking for ways to entertain children and to encourage households to remain active and engaged during for phases of nationwide lockdown. They also raised the LSP profile both locally and nationally as a leader in promoting sports and physical activity which was reflected in our social media “reach” stats. These Resources can also be used in new ways as the country adapts to the “new normal” eg they can be adapted for schools and specific groups and incorporated into other programmes.

Well Done to Lee, Amy, Charlie and Cathal for their contribution to July Provisions, National BeActive Day, EZ peasy zoom fitness and National Play Day.

Education & Training

Sport & Physical Activity Grant Scheme Sport Ireland COVID 19 Course What were the out- All the participants have received instruction in driving . Return to Sport Phase 3 comes of the Pro- the ball, chipping and putting and have had practice LSP Sport & Physical Activity Grants Scheme Since March, Sport Ireland has been providing benefits many local communities in Laois. This gramme/Initiative/ on the golf course. 10 Ladies and 1 junior girl have the sport sector with up to date guidance and year, there were two categories under which Event? joined the club so far. advice on COVID-19. This information has candidates could apply: Women in Sport been in line with recommendations from the Grants and LSP Small Grants Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport,

The criteria to be matched by applicants includ- the Department of Health, the Health Protec- ed the following: tion Surveillance Centre, the Department of the What are the next steps • Innovation Taoiseach and the National Public Health for follow on… We hope that we will get at least another 10 members • Sustainability Emergency Team as they have until the end of next week to take up the • Ability to meet objectives offer. The participants will be supported by current • Number of participants in target groups, members of the club with practice on the course and • Partnerships within the organisation This course is broken into Sections A & B with instruction regarding etiquette and rules. • Support materials. a Certificate of Completion available for down-

load after each section is completed. Individu- Grants have been awarded to a total of als can complete section A, get a Certificate of €11,980 to 22 clubs and organisations Completion regarding general Return to Sport Quotes from the partic- After a lesson: it was wonderful to hear… ipants, information and then leave the course. COVID- “Brilliant lesson today, looking forward to tomorrow” 19 Officers, or others with an interest in the ad- After the Saturday on course practice. ditional information, can complete both sec- “Very enjoyable day today I have to say. A lot to learn tions A & B and get a Certificate of Completion but great teacher. Thanks Mark, Bernie, Helen and all for each section of the course. involved” “Great day thanks a mill guys”

Section A - General information to support “Great day, really enjoyable and nice to get out on the course. “Thanks to everyone for organising” administrators, volunteers, coaches, parents and participants to return to sport in a safe & “Thanks to all for their time and encouragement” Safeguarding “Thanks to all who put so much into organising today” We have held 1 Safeguarding 1 courses with 17 practical manner. “Great day thanks so much for organising” participants, 1 Safeguarding 2 course with 11 participants from a range of clubs and “Thank you all for an enjoyable few hour” organisations. Section B – Specific information relating to the “Thanks to all the ladies for a lovely afternoon” COVID-19 officer role “Excited about joining such a friendly and encouraging golf club.” “Thank you for a lovely afternoon” “Safe Sport” App “Thanks for today, a nice way to spend the afternoon, Sport Ireland “Safe Sport” app, is based on their Code of Ethics & Good Practice for Children's Sport fresh air and lovely company” courses. “Thanks, so much Helen. You are a pure lady. And It is an information and guidance tool for everyone involved in sport for children and young people. The app is aimed at creating greater awareness and understanding about safeguarding and best practice principles God bless your patience. We really enjoyed it. in children's sport. Thanks to all involved.”

There are four key areas of the app which can be accessed from the home screen: Please supply any sta- 60 ladies will have received 6 hours of golf instruction • Leader/Coach Parent/Guardian Club/Organisation Child/ Young Person tistics, figures etc. re- plus 1 hour of organised practice. Many also availed lating to this pro- of the driving range to practice in between lessons and Within each section information and guidance is provided on "Fair Play"; "Good Practice"; "A Child Centred gramme. Anything that some who have already paid their membership have Approach"; and "Should or Should Not". The app addresses how to report child welfare and protection con- can be displayed as a been out practicing with current members. cerns of suspected child abuse to TUSLA Child and Family Agency and poor practice to the Club Children's graph, infographic etc. Officer or National Children's Officer.

One of the features of the App is a 'Travel Tracker' function. This allows parents and coaches who are driving someone else's child/children home, for example after a training session, to permit the child's parent or guardian to view and have oversight of their location for a specified period of time while they are traveling on a journey.

For more information go to https://www.sportireland.ie/Participation/ Code_of_Ethics/ Case Study LSP Communications

Get into Golf 2020 New LSP Official Youtube Channel & Social Media We launched an Official Youtube Channel to increase our online presence and as the best way of What is the purpose of sharing our new video content and online programmes. All of our new video content has been the Programme/ To provide golf lessons for women in a safe, friendly, loaded to the channel under a range of playlists, such as Donna’s Exercises Videos, Our Easy Initiative/Event? and sociable environment. Peasy Exercises with FitWalk Ireland and our May Zumba Madness. They playlists also allow us to share video content from other agencies and partners such as Sport Ireland and Age & What are the aims of Opportunity. the Programme/ To promote golf for women and to attract members to

Initiative/Event? our club

What was involved in the running of the Pro- 60 women joined the programme that has been de- gramme/Initiative/ signed by the Confederation of Golf in Ireland that in-

Event? volves lessons with our PGA professional and introduction to golf with the assistance of members. Due to COVID the programme commenced later than th th planned – 4 July and will finish on the 7 August. 60 women participated in Get into Golf that includes six lessons in groups of six, the fifth lesson taking place this week. The Monday and Tuesday groups

were completed; Friday and Saturdays’ groups are to be completed. The final lessons are will take place

next week. A group of six was assigned a weekly lesson time with

Mark O’Boyle, and a volunteer member of the club

who attended each lesson and brought the participants into the clubhouse for refreshments. Partici- A new LSP Instagram page has been set up and our facebook page has been updated to share pants also received handouts. A session was ar- important public health messages from government, via Sport Ireland. ranged for participants to play a few holes and that took place on Saturday 25th July – 45 ladies were able Laois Sport Partnership Website – COVID 19 section to participate in this. This session was followed by re- We have developed a new section on our laoissports.ie website called “COVID 19”, to bring freshments in the clubhouse and a talk from Ladies together links to all of our new content and resources. This has been done in conjunction with Captain, Helen Kelly, Mark O’Boyle PGA professional Sport Ireland and the LSP national network. and Mary Doyle, a former Junior member of the Heath, current honorary member who is on a contract with Carton House and training to be a PGA PRO. A committee member, Rovena Fahy, who took part in Get into Golf in 2015 also spoke and mentioned how much golf had done for her mental as well as physical health. The Ladies were presented with an offer for membership from now until December 2021 and the types of support that would be offered to them over the next 18 months.

Communications Cont’d

Laois Sport Partnership Website – COVID 19 section We have developed a new section on our laoissports.ie website called “COVID 19”, to bring to- NationalBeActive Day Sunday 28th June 2020 great success. gether links to all of our new content and resources. This has been done in conjunction with Sport Ireland and the LSP national network.

Tennis Camp just commenced We have linked in with Bloom HQ to utilise the new tennis courts in Mountrath week one seen 2 sessions of 10 children age between 6yrs – 12yrs sign up for 4 weeks tennis coaching. 20 children participating in our tennis camp with a request from the area to assist the establishing of a new Tennis club being established in the future.

LSP Virtual Classroom & Internal Policies To facilitate new online methods of working and programme delivery, our policies and procedures have been updated and new ones created. For example, internal policies around Insurance, Fi- nance and GDPR have been updated, and we have created new protocols and SOPS for ourselves, tutors and programme participants in how to use ZOOM.

LSP Activity Booklet & Five Ways to Wellbeing Workshop Programmes

They had to stay apart through Lockdown but they made sure to stay connected. The onset of Covid-19 has left many people responsibly adhering to the #stayathome require-

ment, all in the absolute best interest of health and safety. These necessary restrictions have im- pacted on people’s health, consequently many people are now focussing on their physical and mental health and wellbeing. Maintaining our mental health before or after the Covid-19 period of our lives has been and will continue to be important, but perhaps even more so right now. By giving due consideration to tak-

ing the right steps for our health and wellbeing over the next number of weeks will strengthen our coping skills to make the transition to a life away from restrictions. They will assist us to build enhance and boost our resilience going forward. It is against this backdrop that Laois Sports Partnership and Mental Health Ireland have co- produced “S’porting Your Wellbeing” In launching the publication online www.laoissports.ie/

publications. Caroline Myers Co-ordinator LSP stated that “we are all familiar about the importance of a healthy mind in a healthy body. Research indicates and it has been our experience in LSP that modest amount of exercise can make a difference no matter a person’s age or fitness

levels. Exercise, Caroline said is a powerful tool to feel better, and given our current circumstanc-

es with Covid-19 building an exercise routine into our daily lives can and will enhance our wellbeing. “S’porting Your Wellbeing “has placed emphasis on the benefits of exercise, no matter how little and to encourage and support people to engage with the benefits of physical activity. In doing there is the added benefit of boosting mental health and wellbeing”.

Some year’s ago, LSP and MHI came together to promote a similar message with the production of Wellness Information Boards with local Sporting Organisations Statutory Voluntary and Busi- ness agencies. It made practical and perfect sense for both organisations to come together to offer guidance and support to people, community and voluntary organisations that have been so

supportive to us down through the years using a similar message. Finola Colgan Mental Health Ireland stated that “it is quite ironic that although the Covid-19 is impacting on our physical health nonetheless people are more concerned about their mental health and understand the importance of maintaining it. Due to all the significant emphasises, awareness raising and substantial positive

message about mental health in recent weeks led by my organisation Mental Health Ireland and Daily Mile Challenge others , people now have a better insight about mental health and there is less stigma associated

Promoting Co. Laois Primary Schools 6-Week Daily Mile Step Challenge is Martin McDonald with it. Undoubtedly because of the challenges being posed by Covid-19 people are more aware from Laois Fittest Family 2018(winners in our eyes). how fragile their mental health maybe right now. I believe this is Martin wants to encourage all primary school children to stay active during this time at home because #WeAreAllInThisTogether. This is why Caroline and I and with this novel idea from Laois Sports Partnership that starts tomorrow it's Simple. believe it is important to reach out and encourage people to fol-

Parents can help by getting their children to fill out the activity sheet which will help to earn low the Five Ways to Wellbeing as set out in “S’porting Your their school a Wellbeing” and to engage with the suggested programme of Daily Mile Active activities to enhance both physical and mental health.” Flag which will be presented in The publication has been produced in the new era of working September. from home and communicating through well known meeting This is some- platforms and emails! thing positive for The publication will be free to download from the children to wwww.laoissports.ie/publications and from focus on and www.mentalhealthireland.ie giving them a sense of In conjunction with the launch of the booklet, we facilitated an achievement un- online workshop delivered by Finola Colgan – “Five Ways to til we are all to- Wellbeing in Challenging Times”, and excellent feedback from gether again. the participants. Line Dancing The physical booklet was also distributed to households in part- Audience in nership with the Leinster Express, Laois Libraries and Laois June for 3 Partnership. weeks and 1st Laois Sports Partnership goes virtual Mountmellick Walking Group Life during Lock Down

LSP as a Conduit for National Initiatives - #StaySafeStayHome #UnitedInSport #BeActive

#InThisTogether

Easter Message Our Easter message to all our participants and colleagues via social media. This was also sent out . to our individual groups through text message and whats app along with a link to download our Activity Resources. An activity-based Easter Egg Hunt was also developed and shared with the other resources.

Easy Exercises – YouTube We devised an easy exercise programme at the very start of lockdown for inactive people, no equipment was needed. We shared this via our YouTube Channel and our social media platforms.

Programmes Virtual LSP

“ I have suffered with mental health issues on and off for most of my life. I was also recently diag- Activity Pot nosed with fibromyalgia...a chronic pain condition. Through the triogue Centre and Laois sports Using one of our resources we decided to do a team activi- partnership I got involved in Woodlands for health walking group. There I met a great group of ty pot to showcase how easy it was to do for people and people who soon became friends. When the walks finished up, we were asked if we'd like to try give them some ideas as to how it everyone could use it. canoeing on the canal in Vicarstown. It is one of the best decisions I've made to say yes ...I'll try anything once. We met Karl our instructor who was great from the start. We've been on the canal in all sorts of weather but there is something special about being out on the water that is good for the mind body and soul. I will definitely keep it up and look forward to the summer on the canal with one of the best bunch of people I've had the honor to meet” “I thoroughly enjoyed our canoeing sessions. I learned what it’s like to fall into the cold but not freezing water of Vicarstown Canal on a grey November Morning. Karl our instructor reassured me and said that it was an” ice breaker” it was bound to happen to somebody at some time. Thankfully, on a subsequent day when the canal was actually covered in a thick sheet of ice (to a depth of 8mm in places) our paddles were sufficient for ice breaking. We also had nice sandwich- es, nice biscuits and wholesome upbuilding conversation. A fun filled hour in a canoe with great people is worth two in the Gym, three at a piano and twelve years in a math’s class. It’s only when I took a small paddle in my hand in a small canoe that I could fully comprehend how such a small rudder can steer such a big ship. It’s all about moving efficiently and in good time. I learned how a water vessel can behave radically differently depending on weather conditions. I also lost over three stone weight over the past few months with a leather belt to prove it. I can attribute this to canoeing and walking. Canoeing is great for developing stamina and upper body strength. We Tandem Cycling Margaret & Isabelle Walsh have been cycling there way through the last 10 weeks of lockdown, should all be grateful that we have a canal close by for people to gain the basic skills of canoeing. they cycle at least 10km every day. Margaret uses the tandem bike as a reward for Isabelle for The still water of a canal is far more conductive to developing such skills than a fast-flowing river. good behaviour. Margaret & Isabelle have gone on various cycles adhering to the 2km re- I would like to thank everybody involved for all your hard work and for all you do for me. You are strictions. Margaret & Isabelle have done their grocery shopping and have delivered presents to all a great bunch of people”. neighbours. Isabelle started Tandem cycling with SVT activity & wellness hub last Summer where National Workplace Wellbeing Day participants who would not be able to cycle on their own get the opportunity to experience cycling along the beautiful roads and canal in Vicarstown.

A very different National Workplace Wellbeing Day this year as we celebrated virtually.

Its National Workplace Wellbeing Day, but our workplaces are very different now. Some of us are on the front line, some working from home, and many of us are working as home-teachers, bar- bers and decorators until we can get back to our old jobs again! For ideas to support our wellbeing in these strange days, download our "S'porting Your Well- being" booklet at http://www.laoissports.ie/about- us/publications/ Remember, we are all #InThisTogether Cycling #Covid19 #UnitedInSport Sport Ireland Mental We are promoting Cycling Ireland Learn To Cycle programme. Health Ireland #BeActive” CARA Centre We have linked with CARA to distribute and promote chair-based circuit material to our groups.

Virtual Programmes Case Study

LSP Couch to 2km Woodlands for Health Canoeing Programme The LSP Couch to 2km is delivered via Podcast to participants once a week. The 34 registered participants can listen to the We have rolled out Woodlands for podcast when is suitable for them. We have suggested that health for two successful years in Laois the participants do their training twice per week before the and following on from this after seeing next podcast is sent out. All participants also received a such an improvement in the partici- handout with stretches, tips and a guide for this journey. We pants we trained them up in Walk Leader training & First Aid training. are in regular contact with them also and can adapt any of the Following on from the success of the podcast sessions for anyone who may need it. The hope after walks we decided to have a taster day the 6 weeks of 2km is to move them onto 3km,4km and by the doing canoeing in our local SVT Activi- September/October have a collective 5km run. The podcast is ty & Wellness hub and canoe and proving very successful and helpful from the feedback we are kayaking club in Vicarstown last Au- getting. tumn for some of the participants. As a follow on from the taster session we I’ve loved the podcast. I loved getting out on the road and learning how to run again. I hadn’t done developed a programme to incorporate it in years and had lost all confidence in my ability to run any distance again. But I am back on the water to aid the outdoor impact on track now, you brought me through it, thought me how to breathe and smile and enjoy being able mental health. The group have now to run. My feet & my head are so grateful. Thank you. completed their canoeing level 2 profi- ciency. The participants have contin- ued to go out on the water over the Winter period to canoe as they find it clears their head on the water.

Easy Peasy Exercises Testimonials LSP Team delivered Online Zoom Easy Peasy Exercises with FitWalk Ireland Frank Fahey and “I had made some lovely friends through our walking group so when Catriona and staff at LSP hosting these videos on YouTube and live zoom classes for older adults/people with disabilities/ offered us the chance to participate in a day of canoeing, I fell in love with it straight away. As Mental health group/Parkinsons Groups/Centres that are closed. There are 7 videos at present. a sufferer of fibromyalgia exercise can be tough at the best of times. But once Karl our instructor gave us confidence in ourselves and in our abilities, we all thrived. It can be hard go-

ing some days depending on the weather, but just the movement of the canoe on the water, and the sound of the paddle cutting the water is almost hypnotic. Add in the sounds and sights of nature itself and to see such good friends laughing and picnicking on canal bank even in the frost and leaving our worries behind even just for those few hrs. is priceless. It def a pastime I'll never give up, loved it from the start and it’s my happy place. So, I can't thank

LSP and Karl enough for giving myself and my good friends some great experiences and many more to come” “I never thought I would take up a new sport or activity like canoeing at my age of 64 going to be 65 in August. Along with the walking I do, and our Woodlands for Health Group walks canoeing has added greatly to my strength, flexibility, agility and wellbeing. I did a little bit of canoeing as a young lad in the boy scouts St Johns 1st Troop Kilkenny. Now I am so glad that we have taken up canoeing as another activity with some of the great friends and staff I have met through Portlaoise. Canoeing is not a cake walk it takes a bit of work and great instruction and equipment supplied by Karl. You will take a bit of time at your own pace to get use to the water, balancing and the various different strokes. It can be as tough as you like to make it sometimes I like to push it out and test my speed and stamina or you can just paddle along This then moved on to having a talk with Occupational Therapist Emma Ryan form Bridge Street taking in the weather, sunshine, nature, wildlife and people you meet along the way. I am cer- in Portlaoise about Boosting tainly so glad that I got involved with our canoeing group” Motivations & Resilience dur- “Hi all it started for me when I was invited to go on a walk with the woodlands for Health walking the Covid 19 Pandemic. ing group as it went on from week to week I got to know the group we had great chat and sport together when I was asked if I would like to go canoeing I said yes with a lot of anticipa- tion as it was something I had never done before I had a fear of water on till our instructor Karl and Donna reassured me that everything was going to be ok from that day on I have loved every minute I have been in a canoe it has opened new doors for me and my well-being I would like to say thank you to all the friends I have made along the way and I am Great full to all the staff for the support and Catriona LSP”

Virtual Programmes Virtual Programmes

Activator Poles We have loaned out some activator poles to Day Care centre clients for their use.

Zumba – May Madness

Sing for Joy with Maureen Culleton Maureen Culleton joined in also with Singing songs (Sing for Joy) Some participants played their own instruments and sang solo also. Maureen recorded some videos for us (dancing) and sitting exercises to lively music.

LSP Team delivered Online Zumba: creating a platform to keep people active while at home through zoom activity sessions these participants were delighted to access this programme during Covid 19 time. Our tutors experienced weak internet connections, but we had back up video’s recorded and could switch over and continue the session. Over all the classes went well with 22 weekly participants. Here is a message from one participant: “Hi there, I just want to thank everyone for the live zoom class with Susanna and Moez. I missed the first two due to a broken toe. I have been going to their classes for the last six years. They have inspired me and helped my mental health so much. The social aspect is fantastic. It would be great if we could have more classes this summer., thanking you Zumba Participant.”

Fitness for Teenage Girls We ran a 6-week programme for teenage girls in June This programme aim was to give teenagers an introduction to circuit Exercise DVD training and along with this an educational background into the We developed 50 DVDs from easy peasy videos from Fitwalk health benefits of exercise on the body and overall physical and mental wellbeing. Areas that will be covered will also include Ireland. We have delivered these to Older Adults and people functional movements and flexibility. We will have a questions with disabilities who do not have access to a good internet and answers section and weekly challenges for the girls to complete. Over the 6-week period we have covered different health connection. topics along with a fitness circuit each week. Each participant will be given a booklet and a cert on completion. 26 Teenage Disability Charter girls completed this online programme. **As a parent of two We have 17 groups signed up to the Disability Charter in Laois. girls, who took part in the six week program, I just want to say thank you for your time and effort over the last number of weeks. Please extend my gratitude to all involved”, ** Thank you so much Donna. My daughter sure enjoyed the sessions. Keep up the good work”

Case Study Case Study

Online Active Leader Pilot 2. Journey Journal (Jo Jo) The very first introduction of the JoJo. A new concept being introduced to participants. The Journey Journal allows time for participants to record their aspirations and reflections. It also becomes a valuable source of feedback for the tutor, allowing them to gauge participant’s progress and expectations after each module. It was highly successful on all levels. Recommendation Update the design, allowing proper ruled lines for written entries, making it easier to read participants handwriting.

Allow more time on the course for journal entries, it shouldn’t be rushed. Allow more time for group discussion in Breakout rooms and allow participants to fill in their End of Day Journal entries together.

3. WhatsApp Group & Phone Numbers In line with our GDPR WhatsApp was the preferred media for the Online programme. It is the most efficient source for creating groups and for sharing large photo files, which is important for sharing notes and course work. It was also the most efficient for sharing video content, which might become an option in the future.

Recommendation 2 groups to be created in future, one for communication, and one to receive coursework files. Online Active Leader (Pilot) The use of video in the future. 16th June/23rd June /30th June/7th July 2020

16th June 10am-11am (1hr) (Zoom Induction) 4. Tutors 23rd June -10am-1pm (3hr) (Module 1.) It is essential for the main tutor who is delivering the course to have a “co-pilot” to assist with the 30th June-10am-1pm (3hr) (Module 2.) zoom technical aspects, such as admitting and re-admitting participants, sharing files onscreen, 7th June-10am-1pm(3hr) (Module 3.) and assisting with breakout rooms and whiteboards.

The Participants The Pilot Online Active Leader Course was delivered by Laois Sports Partnership, in conjunc- The Pilot group consisted of a cross-section of participants from a range of platforms. This in- tion with Laois Partnership Company & LOETB. cluded training & development officers, childcare workers, community volunteers, direct pro- Without a doubt, judging by the feedback, it was a successful leap into the unknown, in the vision residents and sport & recreation students. midst of the anxious timeline of the Covid 19 Pandemic. 23 participants registered. It was not without some challenges, and there are certainly a number of aspects that can be 18 participants completed the course and received certificates. improved upon going forward. Of the 5 that did not complete the course, 2 have re-registered to participate in the next course.

1 participant had difficulty because of lack of hardware, and 1 had difficulty with a stable in- 1. Zoom. ternet signal. Zoom was the medium of choice to the deliver the programme. Without testing other avail- Feedback able formats like “Teams” from Microsoft or “Rooms from Google/Facebook, it is impos- Overall, the majority enjoyed the interactive activities the most. They also enjoyed the oppor- sible to compare, so with the presumption of using Zoom going forward for future pro- tunity to share their personal life experiences with the group. It is also clear that the majority grammes, the following should be noted: thoroughly enjoyed the diverse cultural backgrounds of the group and enjoyed hearing the The facilities of the “Breakout Rooms” and Whiteboard sharing were both the most en- different views. joyable and the most frustrating part of the course for participants and Tutors alike. Recommendation Both loved using them, and both had difficulty coming to terms with how best to use Without the time wasted on technical issues, there will be an opportunity to introduce more in- them. teractive activities to the programme to reinforce the learning, improving the overall enjoy- Recommendation ment for the participants. Induction morning should be increased from 1 hour to 3 hours. Costs Induction will consist of learning all the skills required to use zoom and the Whatsapp App. There will be a slight increase to the cost of the programme going forward due to the following: Result: Participants will learn new online skills Length of course – There will be an extra 2 hrs added to the induction therefore it will be Less time will be wasted on course time with technicalities. 12 hrs in total. The Cost going forward will be €900 instead of €700.