PAVIGYM’s Post

Introducing our Introducing our third partner of the 2025 Sandbox Impact Program (SIP), the YMCA of Eastern Ontario. The YMCA of Eastern Ontario (Kingston, Ontario) is committed to empowering youth through impactful programs as part of the YMCA national network. Their SIP-supported initiative, “Salmon Swim School,” is taking action to address the disproportionate drowning rates in Indigenous communities. What it’s all about: ● Teaching Indigenous children and youth essential swimming skills ● Promoting water safety awareness ● Creating a safer future for Indigenous communities This program makes a meaningful difference by increasing access to knowledge and reducing barriers. To learn more, please visit: https://eo.ymca.ca/

For our fourth story, we are reflecting on the success of a significant swimming and water safety initiative from Sydney’s southwest. In collaboration with Afghan Women on the Move (AWOTM), Belgravia Leisure and Liverpool City Council, Belgravia Foundation is proud to support the delivery of a life-changing water safety program for local Afghan refugee women. For many of these women, swimming is a new opportunity. Fleeing a landlocked, war-torn country, these women have often been unable to access water-based education. This free program offers participants swim lessons as well as the chance to build confidence in the water, while equipping them with essential skills for their own safety and the safety of their families. Run across Belgravia Leisure operated facilities in the Liverpool region, the program provides 20 women with two sessions a week for 10 weeks. Funded by Belgravia Foundation and Liverpool City Council’s Reverse Vending Machine, the program continues to be highly sought after, continuously expanding to give even more women in the community this new opportunity. Through impactful program partnerships like these, Belgravia Foundation continues its commitment to inclusivity and community empowerment, providing opportunities for all, regardless of background or circumstance. Read more about the program here: https://lnkd.in/gN9ui_CV

Hillingdon inspiring thousands through primary school squash coaching   As Chair of the London & South East Regional Forum (LSERF) I am very proud to share the link below about the Hillingdon Squash project which is also presented on the England Squash website.   As part of the London Squash Project, (a five-year strategy to increase participation in the capital) Middlesex Squash, delivered two squash festivals and more than a dozen in-curriculum taster sessions across 14 local schools throughout April and May. The project introduced over 2500 children to squash (and racket skills) by taking the sport off the courts and into local primary schools. This comes off the back of getting squash re-introduced to the London Youth games. We now have the opportunity and network to repeat this success across 4 other London boroughs and exposing a potential 10,000 children to the sport. Our restraint is funding, once stablished the local coaches and clubs take over, also teaching the fundamental movement and rackets skills becomes part of the school’s physical literacy curriculum. The above Hillingdon project cost in the region of £10k to mentor, manage and coach the introductory sessions, (mainly funded from Middlesex Squash reserves). Consequently, we need to raise similar amounts for each of the 4 other areas. We are applying to various sport bodies like ‘Go London’ but with the recent changes to government and the impending Olympics getting funds agreed is unlikely. We are therefore asking if any businesses in or around London would be interested in assisting us financially to move these exciting projects along? If so, please make contact via Chris Vine LSERF Development Officer or Tim Taylor Middlesex Chair and we will set up a meeting to discuss.   Please see link to Hillingdon Squash Project publicity item:   https://lnkd.in/eG2-FCcg   We want to upscale this to every borough in the London region, but it is dependent on support funding. David Neller LSERF Chair

I have sent the below email to Dwr Cymru, purpose to see if collaboration can be undertaken to support schools and promoting water safety. I believe there are a number of ways this can be achieved. I would welcome any ideas about how we can ensure children are able to partake in swimming lessons at school to help in their safety and development. Good day, I’m a local county councillor and governor of a school in Llanelli. All schools across Wales are facing increasing pressures to provide and cover costs of swimming lessons for pupils within the budgets they are now having to manage. As such it is concerning that many children especially those from more disadvantaged families may not be able to have swimming lessons to enable them to swim. As a coastal nation and one with countless rivers and waterways, which are used each year, by families and youngsters, such lack of education will end up in tragic circumstances which could be averted. As such I’m looking to discuss with DWRCYMRU and other agencies if they can provide support to schools. The Welsh Assembly guidance is that children have I belief 15 lessons a year to make them competent. These lessons cost the school. I have made some rough estimates on costs per child and number of children per school year. Across Wales potentially 42,000 children in Year 5 probably less than that. Using that year as a figure. At £2.60 per lesson it equates to £109,200. If that’s the case £109,200 by 15 equals £1,638,000 for the whole of Wales and children to have vital swimming lessons. Across Wales this may equate to just under £1.7 million per year! This is every child of a certain year learning to swim irrespective of background or family status. I can see that education features within your yearly Annual Performance Report and that last year you had engaged with 90,000 children and young people. It would be interesting to know how many of those children and young persons could swim! Last year I understand DWRCYMRU made a significant profit. I understand that this is reinvested into the region and I would like to discuss this early proposal with DWRCYMRU to see if they can support such an ambitious project that will have generational benefits for children across Wales. Respectfully yours Steve Williams Elli ward Town and County Councillor Carmarthenshire County Council Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water

In a one-to-one chat we will get to know your child and his/her interests. This can take place in our offices in Vorarlberg, at your home or via video-call. Together we can set the scene and clarify the following points: Where would you like to go? England, Wales or Scotland, to the sea the countryside?What are the main objectives of your trip/stay?How many hours of English classes should your child have each day? Lessons in the morning and/or additional courses?Which hobbies does your child have? Are they interested/active in a particular sport and would like to get extra practice or does he/she want to try out new sports? This is important as not all boarding schools offer the possibility of horse riding or water sports for example. #internationaleducation #studyabroad #intled

Project Fair Play Launches with Made Running We're excited to announce the launch of Project Fair Play in association with Sported, a new initiative focused on making sport accessible, equitable, and fair in our local communities. Our first partner Made Running, a Manchester-based community group with running at the heart has received our Deep Impact Grant to support their operating costs and help them continue their important work. Check out the video below to learn more about the launch of Project Fair Play and how Made Running is making a difference in their community. If you're keen to hear more about Project Fair Play and learn about the grants available, head to https://lnkd.in/ekeg-ADY #SUDU #ProjectFairPlay #Community #Running #Grants

Sharrows - Do they make cycling safer in suburban streets or not? Here is a Chicago study on sharrows: https://lnkd.in/gyCHwJdG A very well credentialed Australian Assoc. Professor "is not convinced by the methods", and thinks "the exposure assessment is really crude". What do others think? Does anyone know of other studies, especially in Australia on the same topic. If sharrows ARE less safe than not having them, and Councils are implementing them more and more, what should active transport advocates say to Councils? What should they advocate for?

Lifelong Learning with #candokiwis One more room to clean. Interesting fact: Tramping this spring? Why not clean a hut? If you're planning on heading out into New Zealand's backcountry this spring - why not adopt a hut? Federated Mountain Clubs is seeking keen trampers to help look after New Zealand's network of public huts. Read more here on RNZ website. https://lnkd.in/gGkhJbk4 Can Do Kiwis supports the importance of lifelong learning through knowledge to help you find and develop your passion. Passions can change over your life and lifelong learning can help you find the passion that suits you at any time in your life. #growthmindset #buildbetterkiwis #aotearoanz #lifelonglearning #floatyourboat #TrueNorth

How can policy support safe, accessible, beneficial sea swimming and lower barriers for new and existing swimmers on the Isle of Wight? 🏊♀️ Fiona Middleton and Giulia Champion have shared a blog outlining their research story and introducing their new policy brief; By Sea Swimmers, For Sea Swimmers. 🙌 These policy recommendations come from survey research and collaboration with SWIM THE WIGHT CIC, a social enterprise working to make sure the benefits of 'blue health' are accessible to all on the island. 🌊

Hello fellow LinkedIn colleagues - I have a special request for my Calgary peeps who care about sport in our city..... Please consider taking some time to complete this engagement request, about our sport facilities in our city. We are at an over saturation point of amateur sport in Calgary. We do not have enough facilities for the demand. In the world of minor and major soccer, we don't have enough. In the world of field hockey, we don't have enough. In the world of cricket, we don't have enough. In the world of Lacrosse, we don't have enough. In the world of rugby, we don't have enough. I'm sure there are others. Did you also know that in the world of hockey, our kids play 15 minute periods because there is not enough ice for the volume of kids who want to play? Did you know that figure skaters have a hard time finding ice for them to practice on? When you start changing how a sport is played to accommodate for a lack of facilities, because your city can't keep up with the demand, and doesn't have a plan to, then we as citizens of our beautiful city need to speak up and let our voices be heard. Please tell the city how much you value sport and that you would like them to make it a priority. https://lnkd.in/gh_aDUqW #sportmatters #SportforKids #SportForAll #BetterPlanning #CalgaryLovesSport #CalgaryLovesAthletes #TerryWong #SonyaSharp #JasmineMian #JenniferWyness #DanMcLean