Dover reaps activity benefits of successful GOGA project
An activity program in Dover that has run for three successful years thanks to National Lottery funding hopes the positive impact will continue into the future.
Get Out Get Active (GOGA) in Action Dover was run by lead organisation Your Leisure Kent Ltd. They have been working in the Dover district to provide classes, taster sessions and events to help promote opportunities for the least active disabled and non-disabled individuals in the area to be active together.
Over three years activities have been co-produced with communities, offering a diverse range of opportunities for all. This included a seated or standing fun and interactive Drums Alive! class and inclusive Pilates. There were also accessible guided nature experiences.
Lynda Davis, Head of Community at Your Leisure, said:
"Creating a legacy through GOGA in Action Dover has given us the chance to create a powerful way to impact lives and foster positive change. By engaging in the community GOGA has had the opportunity not only the chance to contribute to the welfare of others but also enrich their own lives in meaningful ways. By continuing to support the facilitators & the community till the end of the project we are positive that this legacy will continue."
The programme was designed off the back of learning from a GOGA project in Thanet. One key element to GOGA is the feedback of local participants that shapes what is offered to residents. Lets Grow For Wellbeing, another group in Dover, began after conversations with residents about their memories of gardening with their parents. The core of that was brought into the programme, reminiscing about picking fruit and vegetables as children.
"The main aim we have as GOGA is that we are all about inclusivity and supporting people to move more and encourage people to lead an active and healthy lifestyle," Lynda continued.
"We put on different classes and activities for people living within the communities to come together and attend, it doesn’t matter if you have any limitations as what you can do or if you are not as able as the person next to you, it doesn’t matter. We are all there to enjoy ourselves, make friends and be stronger together as a community."
The GOGA team continued to learn, listen and act over the last three years. Thanks to feedback from participants and facilitators classes were hosted in new locations, making them more accessible. Broken equipment was also replaced with facilitators given extra support where needed.
To find out more about Get Out Get Active, visit the GOGA website.
