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Letters: Write to reply
Do you have a strong opinion or disagree with somebody else’s views on the industry? If so, we’d love to hear from you – email: [email protected]
#morethanyousee – Breaking down barriers
CEO,
Exercise, Movement and Dance Partnership (EMDP)
I was interested to read Health Club Management’s recent news coverage which highlighted that Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson is calling out for an initiative – like the ‘This Girl Can’ campaign, which targeted women in a bid to get them active – which engages with disabled people.
I felt compelled to respond, as we feel we’ve already got the ball rolling. Like Tanni, we recognise that – despite the growth and development of the group exercise sector – there’s still a gap when it comes to activity participation among those with impairments and disabilities. The 2015 Inclusive Exercise Movement and Dance Survey findings showed that 35 per cent of disabled people feel too body-conscious to get active – yet seven in 10 disabled people want to do more.
To break down barriers, we’ve joined forces with the Wheelchair Dance Sport Association and have recently set up our #MoreThanYouSee campaign, which aims to instil body confidence and self-belief in people of all backgrounds.
Society has many misconceptions when it comes to people’s abilities, with many being judged on how they look rather than what they can achieve.
We’re encouraging people to engage with the hashtag and share stories of people who have been told ‘no’, but have ignored prejudices and gone ahead away. We’re inspiring others to come forward and get involved.
We support Tanni’s proposal for a targeted marketing campaign to bring physical activity for disabled people into the mainstream and believe that #MoreThanYouSee, with its 650,000 reach, is making a great start.
Junk food – damned if we do, damned if we don’t
CEO,
Tonbridge and Malling Leisure Trust
I read with interest your recent panel discussion article on junk food, and whether the health and fitness sector should stop serving this in its facilities (see HCM Sept 16, p68).
I believe the article polarises the issue in question and it doesn’t, sadly, seem that strange that – when government can’t even make a coherent decision – we as a sector have differing approaches that may compromise our moral beliefs with the harsher practicalities of life.
I applaud Sheffield International Ventures (SIV) in its new initiative – the imposition of a sugar tax in its centres, and the re-investment into obesity and diabetes prevention programmes of any profits arising from this tax. However, I would be surprised if the 20 pence levy actually changes habits. Time will tell. I suspect SIV will have to deal with some disgruntled customers.
While it may seem blindingly obvious that we should simply remove junk food options from our catering and vending offer, I recognise loud and clear the view expressed by MyActive’s Craig Senior: that today’s customers demand choice.
I recently visited a hospital that will remain nameless, but it had a Burger King franchise in the foyer, leaving me also sympathising with Tempus Leisure’s Gareth Dix (also in the panel discussion) in believing that only concerted, joined-up action across the wider public health arena will lead to real change.
It will be interesting to hear the outcome of SIV’s stance: I hope a positive message comes from it where others can follow. However, I fear that as individual operators we may find ourselves in a dilemma: ‘Damned if we do, yet damned if we don’t.’
