Intergenerational sports project in Peak villages gets £600 boost

Police officers from the Hathersage Safer Neighbourhood Team have been working alongside qualified bowls coaches over the past few months to launch the project at local primary schools.

And the council’s cash grant will now be used to purchase additional equipment and help to develop the sports initiative across a wider area.

PCSO’s Ian Phipps and Anthony Boswell have been teaming up alongside June and Vic Poke to visit schools in the area, including Eyam, Grindleford and Curbar.

The project involves the class splitting up into two groups, one half of the class will learn all about issues around road safety and stranger danger from their local Safer Neighbourhood officer, while the other half try their hand at bowls.

PCSO Anthony Boswell from the Safer Neighbourhood Team said: “I would really like to thank Derbyshire County Council for the grant which will help to fund the continuation of the inter-generational sports project.

“The project has come on leaps and bounds since we launched it a couple of months ago and it appears to have been really welcomed by both teachers and pupils at schools in the area.

“Not only have the children been trying out the sport, they have also been learning all about the importance of stranger danger, staying safe when out and about and also the role of their local policing team in the community.”

June Poke, qualified bowls coach, said: “Our aim is to bring bowls to the attention of young people and show that this is a game that anyone can play, no matter what age or ability and that people can compete on a level playing field.

“We have been working alongside PCSO Boswell and PCSO Phipps for the project and so far the pupils have really seemed to enjoy this and have asked us to come back again.”

Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care Councillor Paul Smith said: “We’re pleased to have been able to give £600 towards this very positive project which is benefiting local school children in the area.

“By taking part in the project they are learning a number of important lessons which will help to keep them safe, and taking part in a sport which they may not otherwise have tried. The whole project is bringing younger people and older people together which is what it’s all about.”

To find out more about the project or to speak to your local Safer Neighbourhood team call 101.