|
MMRC UK NEWSLETTER | JANUARY 2019
|
|
|
BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS
Happy 2019! Wait….. Whuut…?! This year has started FAST - it feels like our feet haven’t touched the ground since we took the Christmas tree down.
In between the excitement of launching new programmes and meeting new volunteer coaches, our team spent a morning with London Sport for its first ever Communities of Practice event, ‘Activating Physical Activity Programmes for Women and Girls.’ The event brought together groups and individuals creating ways in which women and girls feel more welcome and comfortable engaging in physical activity. We met such a diverse group of women - Julie Creffield, founder of the provocative (and awesome) ‘Too Fat to Run’, Gemma Tully, project manager for This Girl Can Islington and Balwinder Nanray, a breast cancer survivor who’s pushing local communities to understand and embrace cancer survivors who seek physical activity, just as much for their mental and emotional as well as physical health.
What struck me most is that the barrier is not necessarily the physical activity. But rather, there are these other elements that surround physical activity. Will people laugh at me? What if I’m no good at it? I don’t have the right clothing. Will men be able to see me?
My daughter recently told me she doesn’t really like PE. It floored me. My active girl, who loves nothing more than getting on her bike, climbing a wall or hiking up a mountain doesn’t like PE. After a bit more chatting around it, what came out is that she doesn’t like changing in front of other kids, particularly the boys. Nothing to do with being physically active. So when I heard these stories about barriers from these women, I found myself nodding in i agreement. It has also fueled my determined belief that through our programming, we can hopefully remove these barriers and raise a generation of strong, confident girls. Ready to face and break down any barrier that is put in front of them to achieve their goals, be active and stand up for themselves and others.
Speaking of which, despite these crazy, cold temperatures, we had TWO challenges in January for some of our Mini Mermaids who missed their autumn challenges. Just as impressive as these girls getting out there was seeing some of their teammates, who already completed their challenge, come along for support. How very, very Mini Mermaid!
So bring on February. Thank you for everything you do to support us!
|
|
|
Hannah Corne, Mini Mermaid and Young Tritons UK Executive Director
|
|
|
|
MINI MERMAIDS IN THE COMMUNITY
|
|
|
On 12 February, I’m heading to London to participate in the Westminster Insights Conference on ‘Achieving Gender Equality for Women in Sport.’ Does anyone else get sweaty palms just thinking about public speaking? Hello, Siren! But breaking down these barriers are so critical, for so many reasons. So I’ll channel my Mini Mermaid voice and represent our position and ethos on how engaging girls in physical activity, combined with mindfulness, strengthen girls’ self-esteem and resilience at a critical developmental moment.
Stay tuned for an update in Feb on how it went.
|
|
|
CO-OP LOCAL COMMUNITY FUNDING
We’re part of the LEEDS Co-Op Local Community Funding until November 2019. Shop at Co-Op and help us bring more programmes to the UK. Yes!
So how does it work? Every time Co-op members buy Co-op own-brand products, 1% of their purchase goes to local causes like ours. Co-op members in Leeds can simply log on to the Co-op membership site, search for organisations within 15 miles and choose Mini Mermaids! We would LOVE for you to get involved and help us!
 |
|
|
KEEP YOUR TOOTSIES WARM!
Don’t forget that we still have our online shop to buy all things Mermaid. Everything is 20% off so don’t delay, visit our shop today! All proceeds from the shop go toward the delivery of more programmes to areas in need throughout the UK!
|
|
|
C'MON SPRING... ENROLMENT
As we write this, our team members are layered up in wool and fleece and I’m waiting to get feeling back in my frozen fingers. But really, spring IS coming and along with it new Mini Mermaid programmes. Our enrolment is open and I’d love to hear from you. You can reach me at hannah@minimermaidrunningclub.org
|
|
|
LET'S GET SOCIAL!
We like sharing updates from our programmes. We love hearing from all of you. Click on the jazzy buttons below to see all the places you can follow us, including on our updated Linkedin profile. |
|
|
|
