GM Moving and The Reporters' Academy begin phase 2 of Feel Good Your Way

By GM Moving | 17 July 2024 | TAGS: "mental health", Children and young people

GM Moving have joined forces with The Reporters’ Academy to develop the Feel Good Your Way campaign and support more young people to use movement to support their mental wellbeing.

Co-produced with 11 to 16-year-olds, Feel Good Your Way hopes to show young people moving more is achievable, social, and a valuable tool for their mental wellbeing.

The youth-led campaign was created to support the mental wellbeing of girls who are less likely to take part in physical activity in response to the #BeeWell findings.

The most recent #BeeWell data was formed from surveys completed by approximately 35,000 young people in more than 150 schools across Greater Manchester in the 2022/23 academic year.

They found that nearly two in three young people in GM do not meet the recommended one hour of physical activity per day with boys being 2.3x more likely to be classed as physically active than girls.

The importance of movement was further emphasised by active young people scoring higher in terms of life satisfaction and mental wellbeing.

The Reporters’ Academy is a not-for-profit media production company that delivers a unique programme for young people between 14 and 23-years-old, giving them access to real-life opportunities.

Together GM Moving partners and The Reporters Academy will produce a video series to support the growth of Feel Good Your Way in boroughs, with young people sharing their stories. 

The videos will highlight the links between physical activity and mental wellbeing, challenge preconceptions of what physical activity is, and resonate with 11 to 16-year-old females in GM.

GM Moving’s Active Young People Lead, Lauren Whaley, said:

“We’re delighted to be working with the Reporters Academy so that young people are at the heart of our videos both those appearing on camera and those working behind-the-scenes.

“We hope that every young person who comes across Feel Good Your Way in any way is inspired to move more in a fun and exciting way that works for them.

“The #BeeWell data shows us that there’s lots to do to get more young people moving more so we’re excited to be supporting even more partners utilise this campaign.”

The Reporters Academy Director, Hope Gorton, added:

“We’re thrilled to be working on the second phase of Feel Good Your Way alongside GM Moving to capture and share content that raises the aspirations of young people from under-served communities.

“It feels like a perfect partnership, stories told by young people, captured by our young people, all for the benefit of Greater Manchester young people! It feels right.”

#Beewell National Director, James Robertson, said:

“I’m delighted to see #BeeWell data being used by GM Moving, working with The Reporters Academy, to promote the use of movement as means of improving young people’s wellbeing.

“It’s a great example of listening to what young people have to say, acting on that to improve their wellbeing, and celebrating the results – everything that we at #BeeWell hold dear.”

Any group, organisation, or individual working with teenage girls can support them to move more with backing from the Feel Good Your Way campaign via the delivery guide and free resources.   

Share your stories of using the campaign with #FeelGoodYourWay and keep an eye on the GM Moving X channel for behind-the-scenes content from filming over the coming months.