01 July 2019

New partnership aims to encourage families to embrace fitness

A new initiative to allow children to play in a session led by childcare staff from Flowerpots Nursery whilst their parents attend fitness classes is being trialled at Turriff Sports Centre.

The sports centre is working in partnership with Flowerpots Childcare to help families become more active under the new scheme called ‘Pots Play!’. Flowerpots Childcare has a nursery in the Markethill Industrial Estate in Martkethill Road, Turriff.

Live Life Aberdeenshire Community Learning Officer Stuart Grant said: “We know anecdotally it can be difficult for families with young children to be able to attend fitness classes because they can’t find someone to look after their children. Pots Play! is aiming to address this. Parents, carers and guardians can enjoy fitness classes in confidence knowing that whilst they are working out their children are being looked after and stimulated by early learning and childcare professionals.”

Cllr Anne Stirling, Aberdeenshire Council’s Communities Committee chair and Turriff and District Ward member, said: “Pots Play! is a great example of the ethos of Live Life Aberdeenshire in action. I am delighted to see that staff at Turriff Sports Centre are finding ways of encouraging members of the community to exercise who might struggle to attend fitness classes otherwise. I hope that those families who take part in Pots Play! notice the positive health and wellbeing benefits of regular physical activity and make great lifestyle choices as a result.”

Alison King, Flowerpots Childcare Managing Director, said: “We are delighted to work with Live Life Aberdeenshire and Turriff Sports Centre by supporting them with launching a new service for the community. Parents, carers and guardians can be assured that these quality play sessions will be delivered by our experienced early learning and childcare team who can’t wait to get started.”

Sessions are due to commence from Tuesday, August 20 and will continue for an initial eight-week trial period running every Tuesday and Friday morning with slots available from 9am to 10am and 10am to 11am.

Parents will pay £6.20 for the fitness class unless they are Live Life Aberdeenshire members, as they are entitled to free fitness classes as part of their monthly membership fee. The childcare costs £2.85 for children aged between 0 and 3 years and £3.90 for four and five-year-olds. 

For more information please contact Stuart Grant by emailing stuart.grant@aberdeenshire.gov.uk or calling 07557 497 959.