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Nottinghamshire District Councils given advice on getting the community active, thanks to NTU in Mansfield students

Nottinghamshire District Councils have been receiving advice about how to get the community more active, thanks to a team of students from NTU in Mansfield.

    Mansfield News

    Students on the FdSc Sport and Exercise Science course at NTU’s University Centre in Mansfield have recently completed ‘Challenge Week’ as part of their Professional and Academic Skills module.

    The purpose of the challenge was to create a work experience alternative, enabling students to develop and demonstrate their transferable skills and to highlight to the wider Mansfield community the positive impact of Higher Education, and the benefits to local organisations.

    Working with both the Mansfield and Ashfield District Councils, students were split into teams to conduct research around how the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted activity levels in the local area.

    In early February, students were invited to attend a launch day, where three different topics were given to each of the three groups. The teams then took part in team building exercises, followed by a workshop on presentation skills.

    The project culminated in a showcase on Thursday 25 February, where each team presented their research to the council employers, using the skills gained during the launch day sessions.

    All students met their briefs, providing outstanding feedback and recommendations to both councils based on their findings. Suggested solutions included better access to online classes for families, based on the success of the Joe Wicks PE classes for children during lockdown, as well as boosting awareness of the council’s ‘Feel Good Families’ Scheme through social media.

    Sam Rynne is studying for her foundation degree and was part of the group looking into Covid-19 and the impact on low-income family’s attitudes towards physical activity. Sam said: “I felt the challenge week was interesting as it allowed me to gain some insight into an area that I am not that familiar with. I also found that being in a team environment helped identify each person’s strengths, and gain knowledge from others.”

    Graham Whyborn, Careers Consultant for the Nottingham Business School and NTU in Mansfield, led on the project. Graham said: “Throughout the challenge the students have demonstrated presentation skills, problems solving, communication and teamwork skills, and will be able to use the skills when applying for future placements and graduate roles.”

    Contact us to find out more.

    Published on 9 March 2021
    • Subject area: Sciences including sport sciences
    • Category: Sport; School of Science and Technology