Worthing gym offers free membership to teenagers to help them cope with GCSEs
A Worthing gym is looking for sponsors to support its new campaign, offering free membership to young teenagers to help them cope with their GCSEs.
The Bar Gym believes 13 to 16-year-olds would benefit from using the gym, not only for their bodies but for their minds.
Co-owners Nick Brewer and Mike O’Hagan are so determined, they are starting by funding the scheme themselves but hope to inspire other local businesses to show support by sponsoring membership.
Nick said: “This project is extremely close to our hearts. We want to offer free gym membership to 13 to 16-year-olds in the Worthing area. At this age, children are facing extreme challenges with GCSEs and options, and having access to a gym facility not only builds their bodies but helps with anxiety and social integration, all things that are vital for children to develop.
“We really feel that financial burden should not be an obstacle in preventing children from accessing this type of activity. We are trying to get funding for this project but we are going to go ahead regardless, as its something close to our gym ethos.
“Having contacted some local schools for help identifying children who would most benefit from this scheme, we can accommodate 100 children on this scheme. We would like to invite local businesses to help sponsor a child for a month or a year – our current NUS membership is £15 per month for full gym access.
“I would love to see this rolled out by the government in all honesty but I know its a tough call to get it over the line. Anyone who can help sponsor a child in this area to get this would be fantastic and hugely rewarding for all concerned. We are doing this anyway but anyone who chooses to help this cause would in my eyes be doing something incredible for someone.”
The community gym was opened in Bath Place in 2009 and gained charity status in 2019. There is a fully-equipped gym for strength and fitness, plus a dedicated martial arts and combat sports space. Classes include boxing, kickboxing, Thai boxing, grappling, strength and fitness.