Active Newcastle

BIZIBODIS

BIZIBODIS is a young peoples’ mentoring project that creates safe outdoor play opportunities in East Newcastle. BIZIBODIS has been developed by Newcastle YMCA as part of the national Change4life campaign.

The fall in popularity of outdoor play and the negative effect of this on children has featured highly in the media recently. The project has been developed in response to shocking childhood play statistics i.e. that a third of youngsters have never climbed a tree or built a den, and one in ten cannot ride a bike.

BIZIBODIS trains 17-21 year olds as mentors who then facilitate safe outdoor play opportunities to children – playing games like hide and seek, rounders, or going for bike rides.  Activities that get children outdoors, active and interacting with their peers in an informal and positive way, just as older generations did in their childhoods.

The unique BIZIBODI model is inclusive and uniquely placed to appeal to all children – even those who would not necessarily take part in organised sport. The project aims to reduce isolation and social exclusion for young people and children who are overweight or lack the confidence, opportunity or desire to engage in more formal extra-curricular activities.

Additionally, mentors will go on a training residential, work towards an NCFE qualification in mentoring, gain volunteering awards, develop interpersonal and leadership skills, and can even work towards a Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Follow us on facebook www.facebook.com/bizibodis and twitter @BIZIBODIS

Sign up to our e-newsletter or contact us at Newcastle YMCA, 633 Welbeck Road, Walker, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 4JL.  Telephone 0191 262 4945 (mobile: 07939 819 476).