As we are nearing the end of our second ten-week block of Active Staff sessions, which finishes on the 29th March, we wanted to give everyone an update on the programme. It has been another successful semester and we are incredibly grateful for all the positive feedback we have received on the programme, it has been great hearing staff journeys on how they have become ‘fitter, healthier, happier’ through attending the Active Staff programme.
Active Staff is taking a break
As you may be aware the Active Students and Active Staff programmes run for two 10-week blocks. Traditionally this is from the start of the academic year until Christmas and then from January until Easter. Therefore, Active Staff in its current form, will be taking a break between 1st April and the start of the next academic year.
Unfortunately, we are unable to extend the Active Staff programme over the summer due to funding and staffing reasons. From a funding point of view the Active Staff programme is funded from efficiency savings we have already made in the Active Students programme and there is a limit to how much Active Staff activity we can fund each year. We are pleased that the programme has been able to provide two comprehensive semesters of activity to cater for a wide range of demand and your positive feedback has been hugely appreciated. Our student Activators, who complete over 80 hours of training, are crucial to the successful delivery of the programme but after Easter their availability is drastically curtailed due to studies, examinations and their own summer break.
Opportunities to remain Active over the summer
As an organisation, Hertfordshire Sports Village, is committed to providing opportunities for staff to participate in physical activity and therefore we have launched ‘stay active for £1’. If you have enjoyed the Active Staff classes and want to continue your health and fitness journey, we are offering the opportunity to try Hertfordshire Sports Village for the special rate of £1 for your first month*. This will give you access to over 90 exercise classes (including some of the most popular active staff classes such as Zumba and Pilates), the gym on both the College Lane and the de Havilland campus, a 25m swimming pool and off-peak racquets. Just visit our reception team to take advantage of this £1 offer and to discuss which membership option you would like. After the initial month membership starts from £24.75 on a Group membership and further details can be found here. A single staff membership starts from £25 p/m and all can be paid via direct debit or salary deduction. *This £1 offer is only valid for new members.
Another opportunity to stay active is by attending our Multi-Activity morning which includes a range of sports and activities from Badminton to Swimming. Every Thursday from 9:30am until 12pm for only £4 per session and there is no need to sign up or permanent commitment. Suitable for over 45s.
Is there likely to be a summer programme for Active Staff in the future?
One of the main objectives for Active Staff over the summer is to explore ways for us to be able to provide a Semester C programme for 2019/20 academic year onwards (both from a funding and staff resource point of view). We are committed to finding a way forward, so that we can continue delivery over the summer for future years and continue to have a positive impact on the wellbeing of staff at the University.
There are plenty of ways to stay active until the Active Staff programme returns in September 2019. Thank you to all staff who have participated and supported the Active Staff programme this year and we are really looking forward to the start of the next academic year.