Move More Eat Well Project And The Positive Impact, Plus Future Plans By Jackie Fisher Director SPW
When our Move More Eat Well (MMEW) project was planned it was anticipated that we would all be meeting together on Llandaff Fields for family-friendly fitness and exercise. Joining up with other single parents and their children would help give us motivation to improve our health, cook better food and generally have some fun. Then the pandemic got in the way…so innovative as ever, we took to the ‘ether’ and with the support of FitMuma.UK; Laura Warren, developed Move More Eat Well as an online programme accessible to everyone.
This is a report of the feedback from single parents who took part in two surveys, one at the start of MMEW and the second toward the end of the funded project.
This project was initially supported and funded by Cardiff Third Sector Council liaising with Glamorgan Voluntary Services through the Move More, Eat Well Third Sector Grant/Fund 2020 in partnership with Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.
“It’s not easy to exercise as a single parent. Many classes are out of reach, as I have no - one to watch my child. This takes account of that.”
Reasons for taking part
Single parent motivations for joining the project were generally focused on physical outcomes such as fitness, diet, weight loss etc. What made the project so attractive and special was that it was accessible and child friendly – and importantly single parents would be exercising together with their peers.
“(I’m) Looking for support/encouragement with people in the same ‘boat’ as me.” MMEW participant
Here are some other reasons parents gave for wanted to take part:
“I want to feel belonging”
“And I can't afford to pay”
“I need some structure to fit it in”
“I want to get into a healthy wellbeing routine during lockdown”
“I enjoy having accountability”
“Organising myself”
“I work full time so finding the time is difficult”
“Out of sync with usual routines”
Barriers for exercising
Single parents told us that they would like to exercise regularly but there were barriers. Such as cost, difficulties with childcare, personal confidence and motivation.
This is what has made MMEW so popular; it dismantled many of the barriers that get in the way of single parents’ exercising regularly and it was fun!
“I am so grateful for this group. I am living on a tiny budget. If it wasn't for these funded groups I wouldn't be able to afford them. As a first time mum and a first time single mum it was so lovely to find a community to belong to and feel proud to belong to. It has such a positive energy and is so supportive. I've loved the weekly exercise class both outdoors and on zoom, the baby loves it too, every time I do a sit up she thinks I'm playing peekaboo.” MMEW Participant
During the project:
12 outdoor weekly exercise classes and 15 online weekly exercise sessions were held.
Online videos, Recipe Cards, FB Lives and Daily Challenges took place throughout the project
An average of 8 single parent families attended each outdoor session and an average of 11 attended each online session.
There were a total of 257 attendances by 54 individual single parent families.
The Summer Walking Challenge achieved 4,122,493 steps (target = 4 million steps).
“It's about being part of something and hopefully making friends for me and my child” MMEW participant
Below are the illustrations of the 3 medals that were worked towards during the project:
Positive impact on mental health
Interestingly our second survey told us that whilst single parents were focused on the physical aspects at the start of the project, they really valued the way it helped their mental and social wellbeing, especially in their relationships with their children.
“It’s like a little fitness community without the added pressure of being the “best”” MMEW participant
The majority of single parents who took part in Move More Eat Well felt that the project was successful in improving their mental health and reducing their feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Parents felt that the project was of particular benefit to mental health and wellbeing during the pandemic lockdown as these quotes illustrates:
“I struggled with my mental health in the first lockdown and this programme was probably the single most important thing to help me through a difficult few months. NHS counselling and have been and contact with a C&V community mental health nurse helped too, but this group, the structure and the positive impact on my health was a lifeline when I felt like I was drowning in loneliness, exhaustion and isolation.”
“The Move More Eat Well project is a lifeline for single parents during the covid 19 pandemic - the easy access within the home to fitness with a friendly, motivational trainer who offers a workout to suit the needs a wide range of fitness levels whilst making children feel included is priceless. It kick starts very dark days with participants feeling energised and, more hopeful. This activity really makes a difference to the lives of single parents. Diolch o galon to the Single Parents Wellbeing group for organising this activity.”
“I LOVE that there is a shared momentum. When one of us isn't feeling so great/unmotivated, someone else will post something to make us check ourselves. Personally I need a good tushy kick. Especially on low mental health days and pain days.”
Other positive impacts
Parents told us that the project had a positive impact on all aspects of their lives. Here are some examples:
“lowering my HBA1C to pre diabetic 2”
“making lifelong friends”
“feeling comfortable and confident to work out regardless of my weight / ability”
“felt happier, more energetic, more confident”
“feeling fitter, being connected”
“felt less lonely”
“something fun with my children”
“Feeling alive, feeling acceptance, hunger for more”
Amazing trainer
We are grateful for the advice and guidance of Laura Warren FitMuma.UK who led the exercise groups with such warmth and inclusivity. Parents who took part particularly valued her expertise and the way she was able to motivate them to keep going. Here are some of the things they said:
“Laura the trainer is without a doubt a super hero! She kept me motivated. Really cared when I was hospitalised. Adapted exercises for me. Still continues to check in with me. I’ve never felt like I can’t rely on her. She’s amazing!” MMEW participant
“Laura is aware of my medical needs, alongside my fitness not equalling my peers. Her cheerleading and adapting has really pushed me outside of my comfort zone and I’m forever grateful to her.” MMEW participant
“The sessions are really well structured, supported and really benefit. I've enjoyed the online classes especially during lockdown periods when I would otherwise be quite sedentary working and homeschooling.” MMEW participant
“It’s amazing, Laura makes everyone feel comfortable. It’s not a competition.. we are all there to get healthier and make connections! I really missed it after the first 12 weeks ended.” MMEW participant
Future of MMEW
Beyond the official funding we are trying to keep Move More Eat Well going. Single parents have suggested lots of ideas for how it could develop:
“It would be great to have a tab on the page to access all the workouts and advice so we can use them in the future”
“More stretching and gentle warm up. - If you can secure funding: -two classes - easy and medium/advanced. - a midweek stretching/easy class?”
“Become a permanent offering: Saturday and twice in the week with the optional challenges and diet tips.”
“During winter months I’d love an indoor space but appreciate that’s not necessarily possible with COVID”
“Keep online going as well for those that can't do meet ups”
“Outdoor exercise nearer me as only in Cardiff.”
We listened to the feedback and MMEW is not set up as a ‘pay what you can’ exercise class starting at £3. We have also invested in some tech that means that people can still join in online for the classes. We also trailed a yoga class and have built a Health and Fitness page to our resources where there are videos and blogs. We also are planning oher additions to the way in which people can move more and eat well.
The first outdoor class starts again on 1st May at 11am in Llandaff Fields, Cardiff.
We are so pleased and proud of the way this project has been able to support and benefit single parents particularly during the pandemic and lockdowns. I’ll leave the last word to one of the single parents who took part:
“I love it, thank you so much for organising. It has really improved my mental wellbeing, my physical health, and my ability to socialise with other adults, especially single parents. Please get more funding to continue! There is nothing else like this so there are no alternatives. It is unique.”
Evaluated and written by Jackie Fisher April 2021
If you’re a single parent in Wales then why not join our MMEW project by signing up to a class. Find out more information here.