Sport Aberdeen is delighted to announce that its Community Sport team recently received £10,520 for a ‘New Scots Physical Activity Activation Project’ following a successful application for funding.

The funding was received from the National Lottery Community Fund which is made possible by National Lottery players.

The funding will be used to deliver health and fitness programmes under a one-year pilot to support both the physical health and mental wellbeing of New Scots living in Aberdeen.

At present, Sport Aberdeen has developed various projects to support New Scots including football, cricket and basketball sessions – and this pioneering “New Scots Physical Activity Activation” project will form part of the wider work.

The work to date had helped to break down barriers to participation in sport and physical activity including cost and transport.

As part of the New Scots Physical Activity Activation project, health and fitness instructors will deliver entry level fitness programmes ranging from circuit sessions and boxercise, to Pilates and yoga.

Above: New Scots ‘Football for All’ project delivered by Sport Aberdeen’s Community Sport Team

Mark Pain, Community Sport Manager at Sport Aberdeen said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with the National Lottery to deliver programmes which will improve both the mental and physical health of those with significant need across Aberdeen City.

“The work we’ve been doing so far as a team has had an incredibly positive impact on New Scots, helping them to integrate within the local community and we look forward to developing and expanding on this further throughout our new project.

Group Health & Fitness Manager at Sport Aberdeen, Evelyn Mair said: “I am delighted to be able to work with this community and bring fun through fitness, inspire and educate, whilst improving physical and mental health to New Scots across Aberdeen.”

The National Lottery Community Fund, Scotland Chair, Kate Still said: “Every day National Lottery funding is changing the lives of thousands of people in communities across Scotland for the better.

“This project delivered by Sport Aberdeen, is a great example of community activity in action, showing just what can be achieved when people come together for a common cause or to help others.

“National Lottery players can be proud to know that the money they raise is helping to support this vital work which is making a real difference to so many.”