SHP Sport and Health Project Highly Commended in London Homelessness Awards!

London based project makes it to the top six for prestigious awards.

SHP’s Sport and Health Project, which is transforming the lives of homeless and vulnerable people through sport and physical activity, has been highly commended in the prestigious London Homelessness Awards 2019.

Working across London with 450 vulnerable and socially excluded people, including those who are over 55 and homeless or at risk of homelessness, the project breaks down the barriers to accessing sport and health activities.

Eloise Moller, Sport and Health Programme Manager at SHP, said: “We use weekly physical activity sessions built around people’s individual interests and needs and provide regular health checks to monitor their progress.  People who would never have imagined going near a gym are now enjoying the benefits of exercise and we are seeing significant health gains.”

The project, a partnership with Sports England, is having a sustained impact. Three out of four participants reported improvements in their mental health. Almost 9 in 10 are still active after six months.

Peter has taken part in the project.  He said: “I have Parkinson’s and I’m pretty confident that keeping an active lifestyle has slowed the progress of the Parkinson’s.  And I’m making some new friends as well.”

Simon Dow chaired the judging panel for the London Homelessness Awards.  He said: “The judges thought that this project does excellent work using sports and exercise to engage with a uniquely vulnerable and often ignored group.”

You can see a video about the project here https://vimeo.com/351390349/d275433906

SHP is a London-wide charity working to prevent homelessness and help vulnerable and social excluded people to transform their lives.

More details about the London Homelessness Awards can be found at www.lhawards.org.uk.  For more information, pictures or interviews please contact Mark Wall mark@markwall.co.uk 0790 999 3278

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