Ilkley Movement Project

This project is deeply personal to me. As a teenager I experienced first-hand how being welcomed into a community built around movement can change the course of a young person’s life. Not all children face the same challenges and many families are doing their very best, but sometimes a single opportunity, mentor or place to belong can make all the difference. Read my story here.

There are many children and young people in our communities who would benefit from opportunities to move, explore and be part of something.

• Some are growing up in care.

• Some have lost a parent and are navigating grief and anger they don’t yet know how to express.

• Some are living with illness or long-term health challenges.

• Some come from families where money is tight.

• Some are being raised by grandparents doing their absolute best with very little support.

• And some are simply quiet children who risk becoming unseen or overlooked.

There is a saying often shared in African communities:

“It takes a village to raise a child.”

The idea behind it is simple. If a child grows up feeling disconnected from their community, that responsibility does not fall on the child alone. It belongs to all of us.

From personal experience, I know how powerful community sports clubs and activity groups can be. These spaces are not just about the activity itself. I found refuge myself in my local youth club, where I volunteered from a young age, and later, dance and my local gym.

• They give children a place to belong.

• They help young people discover what they enjoy and what they are capable of.

• They expose them to laughter, positivity, curiosity and encouragement.

• They create memories that stay with them for life, sometimes from the smallest experiences.

• And sometimes, they help a child take a better path simply because someone believed they deserved to be part of something.

Local clubs, activity providers and businesses that create these opportunities play a hugely important role within a community. They are not just businesses or classes. They are places where children discover themselves, build confidence, form friendships and begin to feel part of the world around them.

This project is also about supporting those local businesses and organisations, building stronger connections within the community, and helping ensure that more children are able to access the opportunities they provide.

One day, these children will be the people running our towns, our organisations and our communities. Actions speak louder than words, and the actions we take today show them that everyone deserves the opportunity to be part of something meaningful.

This project is about bringing the Ilkley community together to make that happen.

Not everyone can donate money, and that’s completely fine. Community isn’t just about funding.

Some people might take part in the event itself.

Others might want to contribute skills or hobbies that help bring the event to life.

Maybe you:

• enjoy photography and could capture the day.

• like writing and could help share stories about the project.

• are good with social media and could help spread the message.

• enjoy organising, planning or coordinating people.

• are a designer, videographer or storyteller.

• simply enjoy encouraging people and helping create a welcoming atmosphere.

All of these things matter.

Community means people contributing in whatever way they can.

If I’m honest, this whole project terrifies me slightly because I’ve never organised anything like this before. But I do have something useful: time to plan, determination to solve problems, and the experience of working for many years in a profession where thinking creatively and finding solutions was essential. On top of this, I teach strength-based yoga for both the mind and body, and I believe that sometimes we should do things that scare us if they have the potential to create something positive for others.

Ilkley and the surrounding villages are already wonderful places to live.

But imagine how much stronger our community could become if we found ways to support and nurture the children who might otherwise remain unseen or unheard.