Active Schools launch ‘Kit For All’ initiative to help more young people get active in Inverness
An Inverness high school cluster has unveiled two “Kit for All” drop off points where sports clothing and footwear – no longer used but still in good condition – can be donated and then distributed to young people in the community who’ll benefit the most.
Active Schools Coordinators for the Inverness High School High cluster have established the new points in a bid to combat a lack of access to suitable clothing, which organisers have identified as a barrier to making more children, more active - and more often.
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The project, which is supported nationally by Sportscotland, was launched on Friday April 4 at Inverness High School, which was recently voted School of the Year at the Highland Heroes Awards.
Highland Council has donated two blue recycling bins for the initiative, to be located at Inverness Leisure and at the Forge Gym on Carsegate Road North, with the items collected being distributed to the Inverness High School’s cluster primaries.
Developing the Young Workforce Inverness is also playing an instrumental part in the project offering storage and sorting space.
Craig Carswell, High Life Highland’s active schools coordinator for the Inverness High School cluster explained: “We want to widen participation in sport and physical activity while encouraging recycling and reducing the amount of textile waste going to landfill.
“We would be especially grateful for donations of items for children and young people including sport trainers and boots, strips, t-shirts, socks, athletic jackets and other associated kit.”
All items should be clean, in good condition and placed in tied bags.
The donations will then be collected, sorted and distributed accordingly, with High Life Highland Young Leaders involved in the process.
Steve Walsh, High Life Highland chief executive said: “Removing barriers to participation is so important and suitable clothing is a barrier that is often overlooked.
“At High Life Highland our sole purpose is Making Life Better and this is an initiative that will help improve the lives of local children.
“I’d encourage anyone who can, to donate their unused or unwanted items so we can make sure all young people can access the kit they need to get active and get involved with sports.”
Joining High Life Highland staff and Young Leaders at Friday’s launch was former Inverness High School pupil, Councillor Michael Cameron.
He said: “The council is delighted to support this new project to recycle clothing and kit to those who can make good use of it. I’m sure it will be a great success.
“Not only does it cut down items with lots of life still left in them from going to landfill, but it will remove any stigma from not having the right kit when participating in sports.
“I’m sure lots of young people will benefit.”
Highland Council’s Education Chair, Cllr John Finlayson added: “Encouraging young people to have active lifestyles is very important.
“I’m sure people will relish this opportunity to pass on items they no longer use, so they can get a new lease of life by someone else.”
Chief Executive of Sportscotland, Forbes Dunlop commented: “Established by the Sportscotland Young People’s Sport Panel several years ago, I am thrilled to see the continuance and expansion of the Kit for All initiative.
“With the focus on improving access to sport and physical activity, as well as supporting sustainability, it is fantastic to see more groups and schools like the Inverness High School cluster, collaborating and creating new drop points to donate sports clothing and footwear.
“As the national agency, we are continuing to work with our partners to address the barriers to participation in sport and physical activity.”
