PEOPLE across Barnsley are being encouraged to get active by a group who are making sure the cost of sports don’t stop those less fortunate from getting involved.
Carlton-based Grassroots Sports Academy provides a variety of free sporting activities to people of all ages and backgrounds across Barnsley.
Over summer, the group hope to go bigger than ever before, providing classes to more than 5,000 children across the borough.
Founder Chris Newton told the Chronicle: “We provide community work across Yorkshire, but specifically Barnsley.
“Over summer we’ll be offering classes to children who are vulnerable and on free school meals.
“We’re going out into the community and doing activities with everyone who can’t afford it.
“For instance we’ll be in Royston one week having a game of rounders and then go to Wombwell the next for water fights.
“We do as much as we can for free to help out the local community.”
Yet, their work isn’t only focused on children and families, as they also work within care homes with the elderly and vulnerable something very close to Chris’ heart.
“I’m suffering some of the costs myself,” he added.
“Some of the team are doing fundraising to help they’ll do challenges, bike rides, mud runs so we can keep getting staff into care homes for free.
“It means a lot to me because my dad suffers with dementia that’s how all this started.
“About two years ago we met an older woman at his care home who couldn’t take part in the activities she wanted to.
“So we went out to do work activity work with them we made a connection with everyone there and they’re really friends to us now.
“I’ll go in with my kids to visit them, and take in birthday presents for those who don’t have families.”
Funding has always been an issue for the group, as they work to ensure that they can continue offering activities free of charge.
While donations have helped, and Chris has covered some of the costs himself, he admits that it’s a team effort that’s kept them afloat.
He makes particular note of David Wilkinson, who he believes could be nominated for a Proud of Barnsley award in his own right.
Chris said: “One thing I’ve got to work with David on again is making sure our boot camp remains available.
“It’s an eight-week camp for anyone suffering with mental health issues, addiction, weight problems anything that’s causing them anxiety.
“We work with them and train to help them feel comfortable enough to go out into the world.
“They build a community and try to gain confidence there’s lots of people who would be nervous just going to the gym on their own.
“We’ve had people come in relying on medications and this has been life changing for them.”
For all these activities, and their tireless work, the whole team behind Grassroots Sports Academy Yorkshire has been nominated at this year’s Proud of Barnsley awards.
