St Augustine's Update Spring 2025

For the past four years, Active Calderdale has been working closely with St Augustine’s Centre to make physical activity more accessible to some of the most marginalised members of the Calderdale community. The partnership is not just about sport—it’s about creating connection, improving mental health, and offering a lifeline to those starting over in a new place.

Partnership Aims

The partnership aims to:

• Offer one-to-one support to help people access sport and physical activity both at the Centre and in the community.

• Use a wellbeing assessment to track improvements in mental and physical health.

• Build partnerships with providers and raise awareness with leisure and sports organisations.

• Develop the Bike Loan Library to give people access to bikes and promote active travel.

These efforts are helping users of the Centre, many of whom are asylum seekers or refugees, feel more at home, healthier, and better connected to Calderdale’s local communities.

Highlights and Impact

From boxing and yoga to cycling and cricket, the physical activity offer has truly grown. Since May 2022:

• 979 individuals have taken part in at least one activity.

• 7,030 total attendances across 872 sessions.

• Over 11,000 hours of physical activity delivered.

• Activities included adults (791), children (174), and a wide gender mix, reflecting the diverse Centre community.

• 29 partnerships formed and 17 awareness talks delivered to boost inclusion and understanding.

One participant put it perfectly:

“Sport is important, it keeps me mentally fit. Being out and about helps with my wellbeing and keeps me mentally and physically strong.”

Focus on Women

A recent drive focused on supporting women to take part in physical activity. In December, women-only boxing sessions were delivered in partnership with Northern Powerhouse Boxing Gym and Unique Hub, welcoming 26 women. Yoga classes also returned, with 24 women attending across four sessions, and 10 women joined Unique Hub’s women-only gym after induction sessions.

Rolling Forward: The Calderdale Bike Kitchen

Formerly known as St Augustine’s Cycle Club, Calderdale Bike Kitchen has been busy too:

• Hosted 5 pop-up workshops for repairs and maintenance.

• Repaired punctures, donated lights, and stored 30 bikes over winter.

• Trained 6 volunteers in bike maintenance.

• Launched group rides, led by qualified ride leaders.

• Bikes are available to loan, breaking down transport and cost barriers.

Going the Extra Mile: All Together 24 Challenge

The All Together 24 Challenge was a standout moment—an ambitious effort to clock up 24,901 miles (the circumference of the earth) and raise £24,000 in 2024.

• 26,212 miles donated

• £19,000+ raised (including Gift Aid)

• 47 individuals and groups participated

Participants swam, danced, ran, pushed buggies, played wheelchair rugby and even drummed! One inspiring 82-year-old participant said:

“I aimed for 100 miles in July—did 66 in 14 days! This challenge is pushing me. I’m no spring chicken but walking keeps me strong. St Augustine’s is doing amazing work.”

This campaign even earned a finalist spot in the Calderdale Community Spirit Awards 2024 for Best Marketing Campaign.

Looking Ahead!

Coming up:

• A visit to the multimedia exhibition called Common Ground which features film, photo and items of meaning. It will also feature a short film about St Augustine’s football team that was premiered at Hebden Bridge Picture House back in April. The opening night is on Friday 13 June – 5pm to 7pm at Everybody Arts, Halifax, HX3 9ET. Can’t make the opening night? The exhibition is opening Wednesday to Saturday – 1pm to 4pm from Saturday 14 June to Saturday 28 June. Common Ground is a true celebration of community in Calderdale.

• A 2025 charity cricket tournament to mark Refugee Week - weather permitting!

• St Augustine’s Open Day for all to come and see the work that happens there. The Open Day takes place during Refugee Week on Thursday 19 June from 11:00 to 15:00 with a delicious lunch served at 13:30.

Please visit the St Augustine’s website for more information.

Facing Challenges

Despite the incredible progress, challenges remain. Asylum policy changes, homelessness, and the transient nature of some service users make it hard to keep people consistently engaged. But the integration of sport into the Centre’s everyday work continues to grow stronger—and so does its impact.

The partnership with Calderdale Council’s Better Living Service and CMBC Leisure has been key to helping users feel welcome at local leisure centres, with one former participant now even working as a lifeguard. St Augustine's will continue to build on this success and grow the partnership further in 2025.

Final Thoughts

St Augustine’s Centre and Active Calderdale are proving that sport can be more than fitness—it can be a powerful tool for inclusion, healing, and hope. As we look ahead to 2025, it’s clear that this partnership is paving the way for a healthier, more connected Calderdale.