The Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation ranks the electoral ward of Penygraig and Williamstown as the 15 worst area in the whole of Wales for fitness and health. The problem is a long term one spanning generations.

Penygraig Boys’ and Girls’ Club proved a range of services to children and young people of the area including arts and music workshops, a youth club and a variety of sporting opportunities.

As the main provider of sporting opportunities for children and young people within the district, the club believes itself ideally placed to offer a comprehensive healthy living programme to those young people.

This programme will build on the work already achieved through sporting provision, focusing on areas such as healthy eating, how to stay healthy if you don’t like exercise, understanding the body, mental health, substance misuse and other health related issues.

The programme will be divided into “Get Active”, aimed at the 13’s and under and “Fit Kids”, aimed at those 14 and over. “Get Active will feed into the much broader “Fit Kids” project.

“Get Active” will encourage children to take part in a variety of activities promoting exercise and developing agility and motor skills etc.

“Fit Kids” will build on this work while also offering access to comprehensive healthy living advice and information.

The project is effective because it takes the long-term view, equipping kids with the knowledge to adopt healthy practices well into adulthood. It will be the first step in tackling inter-generational health problems and the passing on of bad practices from one generation to the next. The project will be delivered in a fun environment and in a way sensitive to the needs of children.