Aviva Community Fund provided £863 of match funding
Up The Tempo CIC (Community Couch to 5k)
Norwich, England, United Kingdom
Aim
To improve the wellbeing, physical health and mental health of participants through engaging in a community Couch to 5K running group.
UP THE TEMPO
Up The Tempo started as a result of Head Coach, Dudley Garner, suffering a life changing brain injury. Dudley was hit by a car whilst walking on the pavement in March 2009 suffering a fractured skull, eye socket, neck and spinal injury, leading to the diagnosis of a Permanent Brain Injury. Following a nose dive with mental health, physical health amongst other things Dudley was pulled back from the brink by his wife and her encouragement to take up Running.
RUNNING SAVED MY LIFE
As a result of the impact of Running on my life and health I wanted to pay forward the gift I had been given and set up Up The Tempo as a way of meeting and engaging with others who maybe weren't in the best place, be it physical, mental, or just Lifes struggles. I wanted others to have the opportunity to try and find inspiration to move forward.
COMMUNITY IMPACT (in there words)
"Hope you’re doing ok. It feels like a tough time just now, and once we do start to go back down the tier levels, people are going to really need you, Lawrence and the Up the Tempo gang to help them get back on course!"
"It makes a huge difference to how I am able to manage my mental health and has also improved my physical health. On a good week it gives me the positivity and motivation I need to manage day to day life. On a bad week it may be only thing that gets me out of bed, out of the house and feeling alive for an hour.
"I wanted to improve my cardio and overall fitness and strength. Can’t believe I managed 5 k last week. What I didn’t realise was the other benefits of joining a group. Improves well being and meet so many lovely friendly encouraging people. I do not feel I could have achieved this without them. Feel so lucky and grateful."
"without the group I wouldn't go running on my own. It is a really friendly group and everybody is very encouraging. This time last year I never thought that I would be running at all, never mind 3 times a week and taking part in Park Runs and other 5K races."
"After being diagnosed with psychosis, I have suffered from depression and anxiety for over a decade, I have struggled to maintain old friendships and to make new ones, I tend to avoid situations that I am uncomfortable in and social events can often be hard for me. I was feeling quite lonely and isolated when I signed up, the added focus on mental wellbeing and the social element, made the group appealing and I am so glad I joined it, Dudley is an inspiration and a great coach, I have learnt a lot from him and my running has improved greatly, more importantly though I am a lot happier and confident and I have met some amazing people, who are now my friends."
"These sessions have really helped me cope with things over the past few months and given me something to focus on."
WHATS THE FUNDING FOR I HEAR YOU ASK?
Up The Tempo is and always will be a free of charge, community running group.
What started as a once a week session with 6-8 people became a group of 50 plus twice weekly before lockdown.
Our Run Leaders provide there time at no cost to the participants as we want to reduce and remove boundaries that can impact on people participating.
FOLLOWING COVID - 19 THIS KIND OF GROUP IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER. IN ADDITION DUE TO RESTRICTIONS IN PLACE WE ARE UNABLE TO CATER FOR 50 PLUS PEOPLE AT A TIME AS WE HAVE PREVIOUSLY.
WE CAN PROVIDE MORE SESSIONS IN SMALLER GROUPS (upto 5) OR 1-2-1 TO CATER FOR DEMAND & REGULATIONS BUT REQUIRE FUNDING TO PROVIDE THIS.
There is considerable evidence that peer support within community running groups can be a key factor in keeping runners motivated, we encourage this through our Run and Talk focus, along with encouraging participants to engage in conversation whilst running to regulate there breathing and ensure there effort levels are not excessive.
OUR AIM
Reduce social isolation, Improve health and mental wellbeing. Increase community cohesion. Raise aspirations of participants & increase levels of physical activity
BRAIN INJURY SURVIVOR WINS AWARD
This project successfully funded on 23rd March 2021