Adult and Families Summer Outdoor gym sessions
DELIVERY
As part of our community outdoor gym activation during the summer holidays, we delivered 20 structured sessions at Harlow Town Park, making use of the existing outdoor gym facilities. The programme included both family sessions and adult sessions, helping to increase access to free, local physical activity opportunities within the community.
In total, 28 community members engaged with the project, including 18 adults and 10 children. Participants attended across the duration of the programme, demonstrating community interest in accessible outdoor fitness provision and supporting our aim to encourage healthier, more active lifestyles.
HIGHLIGHTS
Highlights so far have included engaging with new community members and seeing their positive involvement in the sessions. Providing an outdoor space for physical activity during the summer holidays was a key strength of the project, and Harlow Town Park offered a welcoming and attractive location for participants to take part.
The outdoor gym equipment was also a major benefit, as it gave participants practical ideas and confidence to continue using the facilities independently, either on their own or with their families outside of the scheduled programme hours.
Another important highlight has been the support received through referral routes from GP services and Essex Frontline. These referrals helped us reach adults in the community who needed additional guidance due to health conditions or rehabilitation needs, enabling the programme to support their wider health, wellbeing, and recovery goals.
CHALLENGES
Challenges so far have mainly related to the impact of hot weather on participation. On some occasions, the weather was too hot for participants to attend comfortably, which reduced expected attendance numbers and affected the consistency of engagement across the programme.
We also experienced some challenges with accessibility for referred participants. Some individuals referred through support routes were unable to travel to Harlow Town Park due to the distance from their homes, and for some this was made more difficult by the heat and existing health conditions. This meant that, although the programme was suitable and beneficial for many, some participants needed a provision located closer to where they live in order to attend regularly.
The timing of the programme during the summer holidays also created some inconsistency in weekly attendance, as many families were away on holiday for parts of the programme. This interrupted regular participation and made it more difficult to maintain consistent weekly engagement throughout the project.
These factors impacted participant numbers at certain points during the programmes.
TOTAL ATTENDACES FOR ADULTS
43
TOTAL ATTENDACES FOR CHILDREN
18
TOTAL UNIQUE ATTENDANCES FOR ADULTS
18
TOTAL UNIQUE ATTENANCES FOR CHILDREN
10
Please provide any quotes or feedback you have received about your project
Adult participant: “The sessions helped me feel more confident using the outdoor gym equipment. Having someone there to show me how to use it safely made a big difference, and I now feel able to come back and use the equipment on my own.”
Adult participant: “It was great to have a free fitness session in the park. The group was welcoming, and it encouraged me to be more active in a way that felt suitable for my ability and health needs.”
Family participant: “The family sessions gave us something positive and active to do together during the summer holidays. It was nice to be outdoors, try the equipment, and take part as a family.”
Family participant: “My child enjoyed joining in and learning how to use the outdoor gym safely. It was helpful to have a session that included both adults and children, so we could be active together.”
Trainer: “The programme showed that there is a real interest in accessible outdoor fitness opportunities within the community. Participants grew in confidence over the sessions, particularly in learning how to use the equipment correctly and safely.”
