CAMDEN COMMUNITY UPDATE - SEPTEMBER 2023
GSF ATHLETE ACHIEVEMENT - Afrinya and Aaliyah
Afrinya and Aaliyah competed for the Junior England Squad in the Uni & Haralds Trophy in Oslo, Norway between the 8th and 10th September. Both girls were successful individually in the competition and really enjoyed competing on an international stage. Afrinya qualified for the vault, floor, and beam but unfortunately due to an injury sustained, she was not able to compete in the individual finals. The English Squad came 2nd, with Aaliyah finishing with an incredible 3rd place position, having qualified for the bars, vault and beam. The girls represented themselves and GSF excellently and we are so proud of their achievements. We look forward to continuing to support them throughout them gymnastics careers.
KENTISH TOWN CELEBRATION EVENT
At the beginning of September, the community team attended a celebration event for Kentish Town. The event was led by Leader of the Council, Cllr Georgia Gould and Kentish Town Community Centre Manger, Sarah Hoyle. The event celebrated projects and initiatives in Kentish Town that took (and were still ongoing or due to take) place in 2023. The event was an opportunity for the leaders of these projects to discuss how funding was allocated, what the successes were and what could have been done better, whilst receiving questions and feedback from attendees of the event.
KX v DWP RECRUITMENT EVENT
This month, we pleasure of attending the remarkable KX Recruit and Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Jobs Fair. It was an incredible opportunity for us to connect with over 100 talented and motivated Camden residents seeking employment. The event was an excellent platform for residents to explore various career opportunities and gain valuable insights into the opportunities in the Borough. We had engaging and insightful conversations with individuals from diverse backgrounds, all eager to embark on their professional journeys. The energy and enthusiasm in the room were truly inspiring! We offered guidance, shared industry knowledge, and provided helpful tips to the job seekers, empowering them to showcase their unique skills and experiences. The resilience and determination exhibited by the attendees were truly remarkable, and it was an honour to be a part of their journey towards meaningful employment. We were even treated to pastries and a restaurant voucher!
NATIONAL FITNESS DAY
On National Fitness Day, Wednesday 20th September, we encouraged individuals of all ages and fitness levels to get moving. This year’s theme of ‘Your Health is for Life’ encouraged people of all ages, abilities and background to recognise and celebrate the life-long physical and mental benefits of being active. National Fitness Day aims to highlight the significance physical activity plays across the UK, helping raise awareness of its importance in assisting us lead healthier lifestyles through being physically active. Both members and non-members had the opportunity to participate in a variety of free fitness classes offered at all centres in Camden. These classes were suitable for individuals of varying fitness levels, from beginners to seasoned gym goers.
LONDON IRISH CENTRE HEALTH AND WELLBEING EVENT
On Wednesday 27th September, for the second year running, we attended London Irish Centre health and well-being event. It also happened to be their 68th birthday that day! The centre are at the heart of Camden delivering support services to local residents and the Irish in London. Their cultural work remains magnificent. Here’s to next 68 years! The event, in partnership with Irish in Britain, consisted of free health checks, flu and Covid vaccinations and local support services for mental health, social inclusion, cancer, and eye & food health. We had a fantastic day speaking to the local community about the activities within leisure centres in Camden and what is available for people of all ages and abilities and really highlighting that leisure centres are accessible to all.
CLUB GAMES RETURNS!
On Tuesday we saw the much-awaited return of the Better Club Games, after a pause due to Covid, and what better way to do so than in the year GLL turns 30. The event aimed to encourage older people to become more active and to highlight the social and physical benefits that sporting activities can offer to individuals of all ages. 19 teams, consisting of 400 participants, from leisure centres across London and the South came together - appropriately enough in London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park - to compete in a diverse range of activities including darts, short-mat bowls, swimming, badminton and even dominoes. The event offered a thrilling experience filled with competition, camaraderie, and unforgettable moments. It really was a day to remember! No matter the skill level, everyone was encouraged to participate and offered the perfect platform for seniors to stay engaged, whether they were a seasoned pro (it certainly seemed the case for some!) or just looking to have a fun day out. Either way, the atmosphere was electric throughout the entire day and the standard of play was truly impressive. Team Camden for placed second in the Table Tennis and placed 8th overall with our club lead filling in at the last minute for a swimmer that had to drop out.