For the second year running, Brent Cross Town has partnered with Women in Sport for the charity’s annual #TimeTogether campaign during October. The campaign, which aims to inspire mums or important females and their teenage daughters to try new activities together, will see a range of free, fun sporting activities on offer in Brent Cross Town throughout half-term week (Saturday 21st – Sunday 29th October).
Now in its fourth year, #TimeTogether is one solution to increase activity levels and enjoyment of sport among women and girls after Women in Sport research found 1.3 million girls in the UK, who enjoyed sport in primary school, drop out during their teenage years. Deep-rooted negative attitudes which include a fear of judgement, combined with the challenges of navigating puberty, are affecting their enjoyment of sport. Six out of 10 teenage girls are also not meeting physical activity guidelines of 60 minutes of activity per day.
However, mothers and/or female figures can also be part of the solution, with 48% of teenage girls saying their mum, aunts and female role models encourage them to be active. Yet women in midlife are also time poor, often having to prioritise the demands of their careers and family life above their own health needs. 71% of women experiencing the menopause want to be more active.
From Saturday 21st – Sunday 29th October, there are a number of activities on offer within Brent Cross Town for women and girls to try. From football to yoga, meditation, and wellbeing walks, all activities are suitable for beginners and led by female instructors. It’s hoped the #TimeTogether activities will enable more women and girls to experience the joy and bonding experience that sport can give, as well as the many mental and physical benefits.
Brent Cross Town partnered with Women in Sport in 2019 to provide insight into the key issues that impact women and girls participating in sport and healthy activities. Research from #TimeTogether campaign will also be invaluable in helping the new town centre to address the national disparity between the amount that men and boys exercise in contrast to women and girls by understanding its underlying causes.
Morwenna Hall, Partner at Related Argent, commented: “It is great once again to host a series of events at Brent Cross Town to support the #TimeTogether campaign. We are passionate about encouraging more women and girls to enjoy sport, addressing the clear imbalance and championing inclusivity to ensure that these groups feel inspired and confident to take part.”
Councillor Zahra Beg, Cabinet Member for Equalities, Voluntary & Community Sector at Barnet Council, said: “I am delighted to see the Brent Cross Town’s partnership with Women in Sport back for a second year, ensuring more women and girls can access free, fun sporting activities in Barnet. Through the #TimeTogether campaign we can tackle some of the barriers women and girls face in getting into sport.”
Councillor Ammar Naqvi, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure, Arts & Sports at Barnet Council, said: The #TimeTogether campaign brings a joyful and bonding experience for women and girls, and has plenty of mental and physical benefits by encouraging participation in sport and activity. I look forward to seeing more of these take place in our borough.”
Stephanie Hilborne OBE, Chief Executive of Women in Sport, said: “Although this summer has been so inspiring at an elite level, we know that teenage girls face real barriers to getting active and into sport. The cumulative impact of stereotyping from a young age and pressures from social media not least commentary on appearance means many girls feel they don’t belong in sport. At the same time mothers are missing out as their time is dominated by work demands or caring for relatives as they also cope with menopausal symptoms. So, mothers and daughters getting active together is a solution we know can work.
“We are thrilled to be collaborating with influential partners like Brent Cross Town to make meaningful change within communities. Offering accessible ways for women and girls to participate in sport can have a defining, transformative and joyful impact on their lives.”
The #TimeTogether campaign is also being supported by more than 20 sports organisations including England Netball, The RFU, England Golf, British Cycling, The British Mountaineering Council and Parkour UK, to help break down barriers to participation by offering convenient ways to try out new activities in supportive environments.
For more information on the #TimeTogether campaign visit www.womeninsport.org/timetogether.
Further details on the activities available in Brent Cross Town are available here: https://www.brentcrosstown.co.uk/2023/10/10/free-half-term-events