An active summer in Brum is on the cards!!!

Induction complete!  I am officially a Project Brum Activator for the next 8 weeks!  Yayyyy!!!!

Meeting the team, getting to know our mentors and working with the other interns has been really good for the last two weeks but I never knew we could do so much in Birmingham to keep fit!

I mean I knew there were leisure/ wellbeing centres.  I knew there was an Be Active Plus scheme that if your health concerns were a part of the criteria then you could get a 12 weeks “prescription” to help you lose weight.  I knew everyone could get leisure cards, pay for gym memberships and have access to swimming pools.  But you know what?  Some of things I have been looking for have been right under my nose all the time and I had no idea!

Some of the services available that I just learned of are:

• Run Birmingham –  You can start off with a Couch to 5K and more, even going on courses to start and lead your own running groups.  I always dreamed of taking part in Race for Life so this project got my attention.
• Big Birmingham Bikes – Did you know that some of the wellbeing centres have bikes you can borrow and use for the day?  Did you know someone is able to teach you how to ride a bike if you don’t already know?  Did you know that you can complete road safety courses?
• Active Parks – There are loads of activities and exercise classes being held in the parks for all ages like Zumba, Multi Sports, and Tai Chi.

Within the last two weeks, I have already applied and received Birmingham Wellbeing cards for my son, my mum and myself.  This card you scan on the activators tablets to register attendance at outdoor activities.  I can see that I am going to be enjoying this summer 🙂

Have you taken advantage of any of the services and activities mentioned?  Or are there any that you would like to try?

Look forward to sharing experiences.

Fun in the sun with Project Brum

Soooooo…… I went browsing through Birmingham City Council’s website a couple months ago looking to see what what they had to offer by way of activities.  I realised that most of the time I spent with my friends and family seemed to be centred around food in some way, shape or form. Not necessarily a bad thing but our fitness levels could definitely use some improvement lol!

So I started my search for activities, downloaded passport to leisure forms for my mum, my son and myself and came across an opportunity to do a summer internship with Project Brum.  There wasn’t much information about it to be honest but the gist of it was that we would be promoting health, fitness and wellbeing throughout the summer.  Just what I was looking for. What fun 🙂

I applied straightaway online emphasing in personal statement how health and fitness go hand in hand with the treatments offered in a spa environment.  I sent the application and didn’t think much of it until I was invited to an interview.  I have to say it was the most fun interview I’ve ever been too!

After the initial presentation as an introduction to Project Brum, we went out to a local park, got into teams and had to come up with activities to get children involved using the equipment given and then demonstrate it for the other teams.  I absolutely loved it!

We were given bean bags, a fold out ladder, plastic egg and spoons, hula hoops, skipping rope and a ball.  My first thought …… SPORTS DAY!!!!  It just took me right back to school days and we came up with a little assault course.  It was a really good day and got involved with all the team’s activities bar one.  I called my mum and sis after and was hoping that I got the opportunity to be a part of it because it sounded so good but I had to wait hear from them within two weeks.

Guess what?  I got it!  Yayyyy!!!!  10 weeks of fun in the sun with Project Brum!!!!

It’s interesting how people can have the same equipment and have completely different ideas on what to do with them.  What kind of activities would you have come up with?

 

 

It’s All About Me

Hi all and thank you for coming to join me lol!

I just thought I’d introduce myself to you all so you know a little bit about me and hopefully you come and join me on my journey through life:

I am a Spa Management student who has just completed her first year at university who desires to break into the industry and would also like to go mobile.  I have had loads of work experience in all different fields over the years including hospitality, health and social care,  and property.  I even launched a business a couple years ago prematurely if I’m being honest with you.  In hindsight, I wasn’t fully prepared so initially I went to university to study Business Enterprise but I found it wasn’t stimulating enough for me so I transferred my degree to the one I’m on now and absolutely love it!

During this summer, I am doing an paid 10 week internship with Project Brum via Birmingham City Council to help promote health, fitness and wellbeing around Birmingham.  This will be good for me as health and fitness complements the treatments that we provide within a spa environment.  I am also doing an intensive course for me to complete my Level 2 and Level 3 in Beauty Therapy via The Training Room alongside my internship separately for 12 weeks.  I invested in this in order to improve my employability.  Going into the industry as a “mature” non therapist is difficult as you are required to have a Level 3 even as a Spa Receptionist so I thought this may help me find a job within a spa setting so I can see first hand how they are run and also so I don’t lose my skills.

On a personal note, I’m a 33 year old mother to an amazing 14 year old son who was diagnosed with Aspergers in 2015 who has been fighting with the school to have him supported how he should.  Horrible feeling when other people don’t love and care for your child like you do.  Single at present and very busy but I make time for whatever and whoever I feel is important.  Currently working on my fitness and enjoying my life as much as possible no matter what the circumstance.

Now you know me,  I want to get to know you too.  Feel free to share your stories with me and one another.  We can inspire each other.

Forever learning and evolving,

Elisha xxx