...some may be tempted into negative recreational activities such as drugs, violence or sexual behaviour. Yes, the Borough offers a full array of grassroots community level sports to those under the age of 16. However, it would appear that there is not much of an outlet for the youth. It is this category of youth that tend not to get involved in physical activity. All which brings us to here: First thoughts of setting something up were initially considered in 2012, FunkyFatBoy as a company was was established in Brentford in 2017. Despite the lack of funds, it has tried to make inroads in reaching out primarily to young people in the local area and has been involved working closely with over 20 local “hard-to-reach” young people in a sports. We appreciate that we may not make an overnight success of this and that is why we are prepared to put in a lot of energy to get us where we want to be. Our target is to make this initiative accessible to 100 young people from all walks <2019

What we'll deliver:

• Increase participation in physical activity programs <16s
• Draw on the value of sport as an educational tool and setting up activities related to Olympic values.
• increase the skill base of the <16s to meet current and future employment demand and improve their access to employment
• Work in collaboration with the Borough’s employers, training providers, the Council and local residents
• Delivery of the plan is critically dependant on a co-ordinated and joined-up partnership approach

Why it's a great idea:

If society generally continues to abdicate its social responsibility towards the under 16s this could lead to significant economic and social costs to society in the future. There is enough evidence to support this. For instance, if you review figures produced by Trust for London, unemployment is cited to be higher for 16 to 24-year-olds than for older working-age adults in both London and the rest of England. In 2016, 9.4% of young adults in London were unemployed, compared with 3.6% of 25 to 64-year-olds. It is anticipated that this trend will grow in years to come. Again, there are many studies that show that sports and recreation programs can help youth establish lifelong, healthy, physical activity patterns. It must be acknowledged that regular physical activity can ward off life-threatening diseases; reduce feelings of depression and anxiety; help control weight and obesity and build and maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints.

Steps to get it done:

• Buying or renting an indoor and outdoor council space (to be available)
• Buying mats for soft floor physical activities such as self-defense classes
• Buying various fitness equipment (monkey bars)

We set out our roadmap and the direction that the organisation, its volunteers, members and partners aim to operate. Essentially, we want everyone involved with FunkyFatBoy to sustain and nurture the seven values associated with the Olympics. We at FunkyFatBoy do not care about an individual’s fitness ability because everyone is respected as an individual with their own journey including goals, background or economic circumstances. Our ethos is all about providing a FUN experience with high quality safe and effective sessions or events that are open to anyone within the local community. Outside of the physicality of our foundation, we aim to provide a ‘home’ or a place of ‘comfort’ for our FunkyFatBoy Community, allowing members to come as they are, positively reinforcing at all times that we do not wish to change the individual, but to encourage them into finding and becoming a stronger version of themselves.