Spotlight - Unity Street

Being active isn't the end goal, it's the means to a more profound end. 

Never more evident than in the case of Unity Street in Calderdale. Unity Street offers a home to some of our most marginalised and stigmatised members of the Calderdale community.  

Following several months of intensive work with residents by Public Health and the private landlord, (in partnership with The Basement Recovery Project and the Police), listening to residents discuss their needs and wishes for their home environment, an area of importance was identified - the opportunity for residents to be able to gradually improve their physical fitness in a non-threatening, close-to-home setting. The Unity Street courtyard offers an ideal space for this.  

Introducing manageable levels of Physical Activity

The concept of regular exercise in a standard setting is a much longer-term goal for Unity Street residents; to realistically achieve this goal, the priority in the short term is to enable incremental gains in residents' self-confidence, daily structure and physical fitness.  The objective is to continue to develop the inclusive space, making it accessible and appealing for residents to spend time together and connect, whilst being introduced to manageable levels of physical activity. In partnership with Active Calderdale, Unity Street have installed a permanent table tennis table in the venue's courtyard, allowing residents the opportunity for positive social interaction and encouraging light exercise. 

Active Calderdale recently paid a visit to Unity Street and spoke with landlady Sally Fleming about the impact the table was already having on the residents.

Sally commented that even in the short time since its installation, the table had an impact, mainly in a social sense bringing the residents together. Many of the residents are vulnerable due to addiction and alcoholism and usually live on their own, the table tennis allows them to come out and show their skills.

"Many of my tenants are vulnerable and stay on their own, this table allows them to come out and show their skills "

Another benefit that Sally highlighted was that it gets the residents moving in a low-impact way, perfect for the residents that may be in recovery or having a hard time. Furthermore, the relationship being built up with the Basement Recovery Project has meant they have already had requests from non-residents to come down and play as the word spreads.

"We are trying to build a relationship with The Basement Recovery Project and we've already had people up there ask if they can play"

Sally Fleming

Providing Opportunity, Capability and Motivation to be Active

This is a great example of how working with trusted and valued community assets, a strategic priority for Active Calderdale, can provide the opportunity, capability, and motivation for people to be active.  

For more information about The Basement Recovery Project and how they can help you, including advice on drug and alcohol addiction, visit their website at https://thebasementproject.org.uk/