We have received funding from Derbyshire County Council to deliver a programme which helps people who have a history of drug and alcohol misuse to get more physically active and do something positive with their lives.
They come down three times a week – Monday, Wednesday and Friday – from 9.30am to 1pm. We have one hour’s theory on a topic such as healthy eating or budgeting and we also have a guest speaker with an inspirational story to tell. The speakers so far have included former Chesterfield player Shane Nicholson, who overcame drug and alcohol addiction, and Nigel Vardy, aka ‘Mr Frostbite’, who lost his fingers, his nose and all of his toes to frostbite.
Then we have two hours of physical activity, which includes martial arts, gym work, boxing and football. The participants have the use of all our facilities. The aims are to create new friendship groups, have fun, lose a bit of weight and gain confidence.
The next cohort starts on Monday 15th January but participants can join at any stage of the eight week block. The whole programme is completely free and participants receive, a free packed lunch after every session, a free bus pass for stagecoach and a Chesterfield FC Community Trust branded tracksuit.
Last year we engaged with 48 participants retaining more than half. From last year we have participants now in work, with one gentlemen working as a steward for Chesterfield FC on match days.
For more information on the course, email our health and wellbeing team or call the office on 01246 925116.