Thursday 7 July

Social Enterprise ‘Give back, Shift forward’ fund is now open

The first round of funding for the ‘Give Back, Shift Forward’ fund is now open until 5pm Monday 15th August.

Shift is a partnership between the Wellington City Council and the Boys and Girls Institute, supported by a large number of funders and organisations who share a similar vision to see young women flourish. Shift - ‘shift your body, shift your mind’ - is a project that aims to increase the physical activity levels and wellbeing of young Wellington women aged 12-20

Mayor Celia Wade Brown says, “Shift is an exciting initiative that Wellington City Council is pleased to support. I am delighted to see the project collaboration of multiple organisations working together,” she says.

“Wellington has so many beautiful opportunities indoors and outdoors for young women to walk, run, dance, bike and play sport. Let's give them a hand!”

The ‘Give back, Shift forward’ fund was created in March this year when Shift ran a PledgeMe campaign and created a small social enterprise. The main aim was to raise money through crowdsourcing to remove the financial barrier to participation for young Wellington women. The initial campaign raised approximately $5000 and Shift will continue to find ways to grow the fund.

Health and Wellbeing Partnership Leader, Fran McEwen, from Wellington City Council says, “It’s really exciting to launch this fund but we need help spreading the word that it exists. We hope that Wellington teachers, youth workers, health professionals and sports coaches share the fund information with parents and young people so we can get more young women moving. Whilst it’s only a small fund currently, we have plans to grow it by co-creating more Shift products and services alongside young women that will raise more money for the fund”.

Some of the main barriers young women face when it comes to participating in physical activity and wellbeing opportunities are peer opinions, competitiveness and cost. Shift aims to address these barriers through providing fun, social, low cost activities and through the establishment of the ‘Give back, Shift forward’ fund.

About the Give Back, Shift Forward fund

Give back, Shift forward has been established to assist young Wellington women (aged 12-20) who live, work or go to school in Wellington, to remove the financial barrier to participating in physical activity or wellbeing opportunities. This fund is not about talent identification, but rather it is about removing the cost barrier so young women can move more!

Shift will consider funding the following:
Sport or physical activity (club, group or school) related registration/membership fees

Transport costs (e.g. Snapper card/train pass)

Fees to participate in an active event

Equipment not provided through a club, group or school

Compulsory active-wear (e.g. footwear, mouth guards)

Equipment for active modes of transport (e.g. running shoes, second-hand bike, swimming goggles and togs)

ends

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