Huddersfield.co.uk -May 10, 2006
The life-coaching way to ensure youngsters shine
By The Huddersfield Daily Examiner
A NEW programme to help young people in the Holme Valley become healthier and more active is adopting a novel approach - using the sort of life coaching skills usually taught to adults.
Behind the project is life coach and personal trainer Shaun Weatherhead, who has put together a six-week trial course at Thongsbridge Tennis Club.
The programme is being run in partnership with Café 100, a youth venture in Holmfirth set up six years ago with lottery funding.
Initially a group of 15 youngsters, aged between 10 and 12, chosen from among regular visitors to Café 100, are taking part in weekly exercise and coaching sessions.
Shaun is calling the project "U Can Shine" and says: "It's about giving kids a physical, emotional, social and spiritual belief in their own abilities.
"Sport has been a major influence in my own life and I know it gives people a healthier mind and body so it's important to get kids involved in a physical activity. Too many of them today are spending their time watching television or playing computer games.
"The health and wellbeing of our children is fast becoming a big issue
- certainly where obesity and lack of exercise is concerned."
U Can Shine will provide motivation and support to help young people make
changes to their lifestyle: tackling issues such as diet, exercise, peer
pressure and self image.
Shaun has brought on board boxing champion James Hare, who is also a personal
trainer, and is also working closely with Café 100 project worker
Neil Murten. The project is funding the trial programme.
"The café is run by young people for young people. It's about
encouraging kids to encourage other kids: to use peer pressure in a positive
way, which is something we are hoping this project will do," said Neil.
Both Neil and Shaun see U Can Shine as pro-active
rather than re-active. The aim is to get young people to think about what
they are doing now, what direction they would like to go in and how to
achieve their goals.
"We are all aware of the issues relating to young people - drugs, lack
of exercise, obesity and pressures from peer groups and the media, but what
is being done about it? I want the kids to create their own programme for
themselves and become role models for other groups," explained Shaun.
