Sport Aberdeen and Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) are delighted to be shortlisted in the ‘Making a Social Difference’ category of the 2025 Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards for a successful collaborative project, ProActive Minds.
ProActive Minds was a two-year Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) funded by The Wood Foundation and Innovate UK, delivered between 2022 to 2024.
Its aim was to improve the mental wellbeing of young people in local communities through the power of sport and physical activity and new resources developed including “Just Being” mental health training and the “Being Me” pilot – to help young people navigate the complexities of body image, with the aim of reducing body dissatisfaction.
A sport and exercise psychologist Dr Ciara Reidy, appointed as the Knowledge Transfer Partnership Associate, led efforts in Aberdeen through the Active Schools network and the wider Sport Aberdeen community. By creating resources, upskilling staff and volunteers, and offering individual support, the initiative had a positive impact on the mental wellbeing of children and young people across Aberdeen.
Backed by sportscotland, NHS Grampian, SAMH and Aberdeen City Council, the ProActive Minds pilot now aims to build a compelling case for wider implementation nationally.
Graeme Dale, Director of Sport & Active Communities at Sport Aberdeen, said:
“Through successful partnership working with GCU, we are delighted that our ProActive Minds project has been shortlisted for the ‘Making a Social Difference’ category for making a meaningful contribution to children and young people’s mental health during its pilot.
“We champion mental health at the core of our programmes and we are grateful to The Wood Foundation for funding our contribution to the project.
“Our KTP Associate Dr Ciara Reidy was supported by ProActive Minds project Knowledge Base Supervisor Dr Bryan McCann from GCU throughout the project’s duration.
“It is great to see that Dr McCann has also been shortlisted for the Knowledge Exchange Champion award. Congratulations to all the finalists!”
Alison MacLachlan, The Wood Foundation’s UK Director, said:
“At The Wood Foundation, we are committed to investing in innovative approaches that create meaningful change for young people. Knowledge Transfer Partnerships offer a unique opportunity to fund organisations who want to test and learn from innovative solutions for social gain.
“ProActive Minds is a fantastic example of how collaboration can drive impact, equipping communities with the knowledge and resources to support mental wellbeing through physical activity and healthier choices.”
Dr Bryan McCann, Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Glasgow Caledonian University, said:
“It is wonderful to see Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) and Sport Aberdeen’s partnership recognised by being shortlisted for the Making a Social Difference award.
“GCU is the University for the Common Good, and our Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with Sport Aberdeen demonstrates how powerful these partnerships can be.
“The ProActive Minds KTP has seen a range of resources grounded in sport and exercise psychology principles developed and piloted which aim to support and improve children and young people’s mental health. This knowledge exchange project really shows how powerful collaborations can make a positive difference.”
The Awards ceremony will take place in Edinburgh on Wednesday 19th March 2025, the full shortlist can be viewed here.
Through a long-standing successful partnership between Active Schools Aberdeen and Robert Gordon University (RGU), Stage 3 and 4 BSc (hons) Sport Coaching students from RGU worked with around 3,000 pupils from various Aberdeen primary schools as part of a FUNdamental activity day on 5 November 2024.
The students worked with 18 primary schools to increase engagement in physical activity, enhance fundamental movement skills and promote health and wellbeing through playing a variety of fun games and activities.
Sarah Fraser, Lead Active Schools Coordinator at Sport Aberdeen, said: “Following the success of last year’s FUNdamental activity day, we were delighted to work in partnership with RGU to deliver this event again.
“The student’s professionalism and coaching knowledge ensured that young people from our primary schools got the opportunity to experience a fun and engaging day of activities. We look forward to expanding the offer next year following positive feedback from the primary schools involved.”
Stage 4 students and class representatives Isla Ramsay and Bradley McCallister said: “This was an incredible opportunity to go into the primary schools in Aberdeen to deliver sessions based on fundamental movements. These skills are essential to developing confidence in their movement and within themselves.
“We thoroughly enjoyed teaching the pupils about different movement patterns and delivering this in a fun and engaging session which kept everyone involved. This is hopefully an opportunity that can be continued and improved to both the schools of Aberdeen and the sport students at RGU in the following years”.
Lecturer Dr Andy Hall said the events, which occurred simultaneously within different primary schools, had been a positive experience for students, pupils and primary schools.
He said: “The opportunity for students to work collaboratively across year groups and with external partnerships such as Sport Aberdeen is an excellent development experience, allowing them to implement academic theory within practical settings, while showcasing their high-level coaching skills.
“The chance to support the community within Aberdeen, promote physical activity opportunities, and develop fundamental movement skills such as running, jumping, catching and throwing for primary school pupils through innovative fun activities is an excellent opportunity for all involved.
“These opportunities are not possible without the continued engagement from effective partnerships such as those with Sport Aberdeen and is something we are all looking to continue to grow in the future. This event has built on work from previous years, demonstrating the need and success of these events for the local community within Aberdeen”.
Above: Stage 4 student Reece Hurrell (left) and Stage 3 student Robert Cruickshank (right)
Award-winning charity Sport Aberdeen has kickstarted 2025 by appointing two new individuals to its growing marketing, communications and commercial development team.
Graham Kelly joins as Sales Executive and Molly McLeod joins as Content Creator – both in newly created roles.
With a background spanning 30 years of sales and marketing experience, Graham has worked in the finance, home improvement and advertising sectors.
His role will aim to grow commercial advertising and corporate sponsorship opportunities for Sport Aberdeen, so the charity can generate more revenue for reinvesting back into its meaningful community projects and initiatives including support for care experienced young people.
Molly McLeod recently graduated from Robert Gordon University with a 1st Class BA (Hons) Fashion Management degree.
During her studies, she gained work experience in London and travelled internationally as a PR and Marketing Assistant. She has a background in fashion and sport and loves keeping up to date with the latest social media trends – where her passion for content creation started.
In her new role, Molly will strive to enhance Sport Aberdeen’s video content creation, with a key focus on Instagram and TikTok to tap into new audiences and stay current with trends.
26-year-old Hayley Webster was always active growing up.
At only five years old, she started playing basketball for Grampian Women and Beacon Basketball Club for about 12years, training for around 9-10 hours per week at one point.
Weekends would take her around the country for basketball matches and as she grew older, she coached U12s Grampian Girls and Under 5s at Beacon.
But things changed for Hayley when she fell pregnant in early 2022.
She said: “I used to eat well and watch my weight but when I fell pregnant, I put on six stone.
“I felt really uncomfortable and unfit – I had never been that size before. I’ve got asthma too which didn’t help and my clothes didn’t fit me.
“My son Lyall was born in October 2022 and after having him, I’d either stay in my pyjamas, wear tracksuits or my maternity clothes. I had a whole wardrobe of my usual clothes that didn’t fit me.
“I got into a bad routine of eating lots of takeaways for dinner and having chocolate for breakfast. I felt so unfit and I didn’t like the photos of me and Lyall when he was born.
“I knew that if I didn’t do something, I would struggle to crawl through soft play with Lyall and I didn’t want that.”
Deciding to make a positive change for herself and carve out some personal time, Hayley joined Sport Aberdeen’s Fitness membership in March 2022.
Above: Hayley’s before and after photos which she kindly shared
“I used to take Lyall swimming at Get active @ Northfield and someone there told me about the Fitness membership.
“I stay in Danestone so Get active @ Jesmond was the closest gym to me.
“I really like it – it’s friendly and a nice environment. People in the gym are really friendly – some even came up to me after my recent article in the Press & Journal – and the staff are always friendly, you get a nice hello from them when you go in.
“It’s so good to get out of the house, being at home with a baby during winter means you’re always stuck inside, so when my partner comes home it’s nice for me to go to the gym, put my headphones in and have my own time.
“23 hours of my day are spent being a Mum, so it’s nice to have one hour to myself.
“I always train at Get active @ Jesmond, I usually go at teatime and it’s never too busy that I can’t get on anything.
“I try to do three to four weightlifting sessions per week plus a circuits class in The Quad on a Wednesday night.
Above: Hayley doing weight training in the gym at Get active @ Jesmond
“To be honest I had no idea about weightlifting when I first started, but you learn as you go and I watched loads of videos for inspiration so I feel quite confident now.
“Going to the gym has become a hobby, I don’t go to lose weight anymore – I go because I really enjoy it and want to get better at it.
“I even recently persuaded my boss to sign up for a Fitness membership as well!”
When asking Hayley about her goals for the gym in 2025, she explained:
“Weight loss isn’t a focus for me anymore because I’ve done that. My main goals now are getting fitter, eating healthier and lifting heavier.
“Also, I am training to become a Personal Trainer – I’ve completed my Level 2 Gym Instructor course and in the new year, I will be starting my Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training.
“Once I hopefully gain this qualification, I’d like to focus on pre- and post-natal personal training once Lyall goes to nursery.”
Hayley shares her words of motivation for those thinking about joining the gym, she said: “It will make you feel so much better, even if it’s not for weight loss, it’s a hobby – it’s something to do for you.
“You don’t need to have a physical goal, mentally it will make you feel better. There are loads of health benefits – getting fitter and feeling better within yourself.
“Especially for Mum’s who are stuck inside quite a lot, a bit of time for yourself is so important, as you spend so many hours of your day being a Mum.
“And you always come home in a better mood after going to the gym!”
Sport Aberdeen’s Fitness membership is only £30.50 per month and provides access to nine gyms, five swimming pools and over 100 fitness classes every week.
Join in January 2025 and receive February completely free! Find out more and sign up here.
Sport Aberdeen’s Active Schools team hosted a successful Christmas celebration event on Thursday 19 December from 1600 to 1800 at Get active @ Westburn.
The event welcomed 60 attendees along including young carers, care experienced young people and their families, and support workers to enjoy Christmas arts and crafts station, games, pizza, food and music.
Sport Aberdeen’s team distributed 250 selection boxes and cards to young people who attended and 40 young people who are working on a one-to-one basis with a Sport Aberdeen member of staff through its SPACE programme were given personalised gifts.
SPACE is Sport Aberdeen’s programme that positively shapes the lives of care-experienced children through the transformative power of connection, sport and physical activity.
The Promise reflects Scotland’s commitment that all care experienced children and young people will grow up loved, safe and respected. The Promise is built on five foundations: family, voice, care, people and scaffolding; all of these are embedded within Sport Aberdeen’s SPACE programme.
Katrina Carr, Lead Active Schools Coordinator (Keeping the Promise) at Sport Aberdeen, said: “Thank you to everyone who attended our event, we were delighted to see such a busy turnout.
“I’d like to thank the following individuals for their kind donations too: Sport Aberdeen members/employees, members of the public, Befriend a Child, Macphie of Glenbervie, Richard Booth, Alistair Robertson, Colin Watson – SRCN Solutions and Tesco.”
A social worker said: “I just wanted to pass on the absolute elation in feedback I got from the family I signed up to the Christmas event.
“They had a brilliant time and were really chuffed they got to attend, thank you so much for organising.”
To find out more about Sport Aberdeen’s SPACE programme or to make a referral, click here.
Award-winning charity Sport Aberdeen was delighted to be crowned joint winners of the Inclusion Award alongside Halo Leisure at the first-ever Seriously Social Awards.
The glittering ceremony – hosted by Community Leisure UK – took place at The Lowry Hotel in Manchester on Wednesday 13 November.
Sport Aberdeen’s entry for the Inclusion Award focused on its SPACE (Supported Physical Activity for Care Experienced) programme, designed to positively shape the lives of young people through the transformative power of connection, sport and physical activity.
The programme aligns to the aims of The Promise – Scotland’s commitment that all care experienced children and young people will grow up loved, safe and respected.
The Promise is built on five foundations: family, voice, care, people and scaffolding; all of these are embedded within the SPACE programme.
SPACE offers one-to-one or small group activities to support care experienced young people either during or out with the school day. The model is designed to build relationships with young people and their families through sport and physical activity, empowering them to choose activities to participate in, such as horse-riding lessons or a ‘walk and talk’ in nature.
Partnerships are crucial to the programme’s success, working closely with Aberdeen City Council’s Virtual School, Education and Social Work teams, alongside other third sector organisations.
Recognising that a whole family approach is essential, all care experienced young people and their support network are supported to access free Sport Aberdeen Get active memberships to continue getting active in different ways such as going swimming, playing tennis or attending the gym. To date, over 700 free memberships have been accessed.
Kim McRobbie, Active Schools and EDI Manager at Sport Aberdeen, said: “We are delighted to win this award and be recognised across the UK that we are leading the way within our sector in supporting care experienced young people.
“Partnerships are crucial to the programme’s success, and I’d like to thank Aberdeen City Council and sportscotland, who both provide funding towards SPACE.
“At the core of our programme is the child’s voice, to ensure it is always heard and to empower our young people to live healthier, happier lives.
“I must say a huge thanks to the team who work tirelessly day in and day out to build trusting relationships and continue to find innovative ways to evolve the SPACE programme. They truly depict Sport Aberdeen’s vision of creating opportunities, inspiring people and changing lives through sport and physical activity.
“The next step for the programme emphasises our promise to continue listening to the children, supporting their strengths and playing our part to increase accessibility of our services.
“We will also continue to maintain our commitment to keeping The Promise and fulfil our responsibilities as a corporate parent.”
Kirsty Cumming, CEO of Community Leisure UK, said: “A huge congratulations to all our winners and finalists. They are a shining example of what the charitable sector does best; putting people above profit to create positive social change for everyone in society.
“Rooted in communities, they support individuals and the whole community to live healthier, happier and more creative lives through leisure and culture.”
Find out more about Sport Aberdeen’s SPACE programme by reading its full award entry here.
⚠️ Due to the yellow weather warning for snow and ice, please see our latest update below. ⚠️
Venues closing at 7pm tonight:
- Get active @ Cults
- Get active @ Peterculter
Venues closing at 8pm tonight:
- Aberdeen Tennis Centre
- Bridge of Don Swimming Pool
- Dyce Swimming Pool
Venues closing at 8:30pm tonight:
- Get active @ Beacon
- Get active @ Jesmond
- Get active @ Kincorth
- Get active @ Lochside
- Get active @ Northfield
- Get active @ Sheddocksley
Other venue updates:
- Adventure Aberdeen Snowsports Centre will close at 9:15pm after the lessons finish – however please note the public session has been cancelled.
- Get active @ Alex Collie will close at 9pm tonight.
- Get active @ Westburn will close at 5pm tonight.
- Tullos Swimming Pool will close at 7:30pm tonight.
- Linx Ice Arena will close at 7:15pm tonight – there will be no public session or hockey training this evening and no coaching session on Friday morning. The venue will open on Friday afternoon at 3:15pm as planned.
On Friday 22nd November, the following venues will have a later opening time of 9am:
- Get active @ Jesmond
- Get active @ Northfield
- Get active @ Sheddocksley
- Tullos Swimming Pool
All other venues will open at 9am or thereafter as per usual opening hours (all venue opening hours can be found on our website here: https://www.sportaberdeen.co.uk/venues).
The safety of our customers, members and employees is our top priority – please be careful and take care when travelling to our venues.
We hope this will be the last of the snow disruption and we look forward to hopefully operating by our usual hours from tomorrow onwards. 😊🤞
For the latest weather updates, keep checking our website, social media and app.
Due to the heavy snow forecast this afternoon, the following venues will close at 6pm today:
- Aberdeen Tennis Centre
- Adventure Aberdeen Snowsports Centre
- Get active @ Alex Collie
- Get active @ Beacon
- Get active @ Jesmond
- Get active @ Kincorth
- Get active @ Northfield
- Get active @ Sheddocksley
- Get active @ Westburn
- Linx Ice Arena
- Tullos Swimming Pool
The following venues will remain fully closed today:
- Bridge of Don Swimming Pool
- Dyce Swimming Pool
- Get active @ Cults
- Get active @ Lochside
- Get active @ Peterculter
On Wednesday 20th November, the following venues will have a later opening time of 9am:
- Get active @ Jesmond
- Get active @ Northfield
- Get active @ Sheddocksley
- Tullos Swimming Pool
All other venues will open at 9am tomorrow as normal.
The safety of our customers, members and employees is our top priority – please be careful and take care when travelling!
For the latest weather updates, keep an eye on our website, social media and app.
As part of a recent marketing campaign, Sport Aberdeen decided to run a radio competition through Original 106.
From Monday – Thursday, entrants had to guess the sound of a different piece of gym equipment. The four entrants were then entered into a draw on the Friday and the winner received a FREE Sport Aberdeen Get active membership.
Rory Smith, the lucky competition winner, said: “I entered the competition after hearing it on the radio and was surprised to be picked.
“I knew the sound of an exercise bike well after many years using them… I was doubly surprised to be picked as the winner of a whole year’s Get active membership with Sport Aberdeen.”
Sharing details about how he plans to use his prize, Rory said: “I plan to get myself a bit more toned as I do run but have been absent from the gym for a fair while and it’s showing….
“I also plan on trying all that the membership has to offer…even the snowboarding and skiing!
“I did my first marathon on the 5th October this year with the Fit Like Joggers who planned and organised my day… it was a slow and steady run but so well organised.
“My fellow FLJs were so supportive from planning the run, to running with me, supporting from the road side and turning up to welcome me over the line for a few well earned beers, and partying on when I ran out of steam! They truly are the best bunch of people.”
“My goal now, as I have said earlier, is to build a better or leaner version of me, as there are a few miles on the clock and as we mature, a good level of fitness is important.
“I am very grateful to have won this prize and intend to make the most of it.”
Sport Aberdeen’s Get active membership includes swimming, over 100 fitness classes every week, access to all gyms, ice skating, golf at five courses, tennis, badminton, padel tennis and open ski and snowboarding sessions.
It is amazing value for money at only £48.50 per month, find out more and purchase here.
Bridge of Don-based Mike Elrick is grateful that Sport Aberdeen’s Active Lifestyles classes have helped him stay active following a personal health scare.
Mike had a heart attack in 2004 after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1999. He suffered a stroke on 31st January 2021 and had blood clots in his lungs whilst in hospital.
Susan – Mike’s fiancée of 32 years – saved his life when she noticed something was up and phoned the paramedics, then Mike was taken into Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (ARI).
After his stroke, Mike’s daughter looked into available exercise classes.
He initially attended Seated Yoga at Get active @ Alex Collie: “It was really good. I met a girl there Linda who said that she was doing table tennis, so I started coming to that too.
“I now play on a Monday afternoon and a Thursday afternoon.”
After participating in seated yoga classes for around six months and noticing his overall fitness was beginning to improve, Mike commented: “I was starting to get better and feel better. When I came out of the hospital, I was walking with a stick.
“Gradually I got fitter and I got rid of the stick!
“I was able to start going to Stable and Able classes at Get active @ Jesmond on a Tuesday morning as I was looking for something a bit more intense.
“I also started the Steady Steps classes on a Wednesday morning – the staff there are a friendly bunch.”
As an active person by nature, Mike shares details about the exercise he used to participate in when he was younger.
“When I was 45 years old, I used to swim three mornings per week at Northfield Swimming Pool. Then I used to play ice hockey recreationally – my son was the goalkeeper for Aberdeen U12s.
“I also used to play golf at Kings Links Golf Course and I was a member of the Caledonian Golf Club.”
Speaking about his enjoyment of his exercise routine now, Mike said: “It’s great finding this facility [Get active @ Jesmond] that’s here.
“The staff are all great, and so is everyone in the classes.
“It does make me tired by lunchtime, but I just tell Susan I’m too tired to do the hoovering.
“I wouldn’t miss the classes ever now – I look forward to getting up in the morning to come along.”
Image above: Mike in the gym at Get active @ Jesmond
Mike’s current exercise routine consists of the following:
- Monday morning Active Lifestyles Seated Exercise class at Get active @ Jesmond from 11:30 – 12:30
- Monday afternoon table tennis at Get active @ Jesmond from 13:00 – 16:00
- Tuesday morning yoga at Bridge of Don Academy
- Wednesday morning Steady Steps class at Get active @ Jesmond
- Thursday afternoon table tennis at Get active @ Jesmond from 13:45 – 16:00
Grateful for all that he is able to physically do during a week, Mike commented:
“I’ve been lucky – I had a good stroke. I’ve been able to recover by coming to the gym. A lot of people might just stay sitting down.
“The stroke I took was a right-sided stroke so there’s still a bit of numbness there and sometimes I feel unstable when I’m walking. I’m careful when I’m going up and down stairs.
“I’m getting better, fitter – everyone can see that. I notice a big difference in my mobility.”
Mike shares his advice for anyone thinking about trying out the gym or a fitness class: “Just come along and give it a go! You can try out a free guest pass.
“It’s great value for money, I’m on a Fitness membership now. If I can inspire someone and they read this, then that’s a bonus.
“The membership is brilliant; it has improved my health and fitness.
“My car is like me, old but it’s in good condition.
“As well as the fitness classes, I really enjoy table tennis; I’ve become more competitive as I have become healthier and more able.
“We have a good laugh and I enjoy the banter and camaraderie.
“I get excited at the occasional good shot. They call me lucky Mike as I have a habit of it hitting the net and it goes over!”
Find out more about Sport Aberdeen’s membership options here.