Parkour anyone?… social fitness project Movement Park sets up base in Whiteinch

A charity that uses sport and movement-based activities to enhance the lives of young people and the wider community is opening a base in the West End.

Movement Park will be situated at a former warehouse in Whiteinch when it opens in early spring.

The organisation is currently raising money through crowdfunding to secure the last pieces of the financial jigsaw.

Once up and running, the centre in South Street will offer movement classes as well as judo, parkour - a type of gymnastics that uses buildings and public spaces - and dance to local children.

And all that in an area that sits in the top 10 per cent of the Scottish index of Multiple Deprivation.

Inspired by Glasgow's Commonwealth Games in 2014, Movement Park was set up by a small group of judo players.

Since then it has been working with local schools in the West End and wider area.

Movement: The charity has been working with local schools.

The charity says it is much more than just a normal sports club - time is spent developing fundamental movement skills before moving on to developing sport specific skills.

Convenor Stephen Somerville, who works for JudoScotland, says several of the other trustees have a background in sport as athletes, coaches, development managers.

Stephen told Glasgow West End Today: "As individuals we have all delivered a range of programmes that we know work offering children positive experiences.

"Movement Park allows us an opportunity to bring all skills and experience under one umbrella to allow families to engage in multiple activities."

Premises: the new activity hub is due to open in early spring 2017.

Inspired: Movement Park was an idea that followed the Commonwealth Games hosted by the city in 2014.

He adds: "We ran a successful October holiday camp in partnership with Active Schools which saw us deliver a taster of our activities.

"Feedback from those attending and their parents has been incredibly positive and supportive.

"We successfully received funding from BBC Children in Need in order to make this possible.

"This camp is now being followed up through day-long sessions and 18-week blocks with the local schools allowing us to further promote the centre with each child taking a flyer home.

"This along with our promotional launch campaign will raise community awareness of Movement Park as a pillar of the community."

Team: Stephen Somerville (left) is getting ready for the opening of the Whiteinch hub.

The charity says its wants to make a difference offering affordable activity opportunities for people within the G14 and surrounding postal code areas, but will also reach out to the wider Glasgow community.

Stephen says: "We will be using the space creatively to allow us further engagement with inclusion groups and the ageing population to ensure the we promote an active for life message.

The public can donate via gofundme.com to pay for equipment refurbishment and legal fees.

Click the following link: https://www.gofundme.com/making-movement-matter-in-glasgow

"We are looking to build in yoga and other fitness based activities as well as a relaxation aspect with massage, beauty treatments and other therapies.

"We have an existing connection with 22 local schools where we deliver outreach activities of school block sessions and holiday camps through a partnership with Active Schools.

"This existing work gives us a client base from which to build on.

Watch: A short trailer made for Movement Park.

"We are starting with a small workforce and limited activity but we have ambition to grow and diversify.

"Longer term we see the potential to develop; to include a café in 813 South Street; to take on more facilities within G14; and to deliver in a wider geographical area."

* Anyone interested in volunteering or getting involved with Movement Park please email: stephen.somerville@movementpark.org.uk