Activity for the homeless

A group of Cardiff University physiotherapy students are encouraging healthy activity for those who are homeless and vulnerably housed in and around Cardiff.

ACTAV8 is an initiative facilitated by physiotherapy students, it is the only walking and exercise group in the UK run by students for the homeless community.

The original idea was initially set up as a research project by Dr Rebecca Hemming, Physiotherapy Lecturer. Due to the success of the research project she encouraged physiotherapy students to become involved in the opportunity.

The project now known as ACTAV8 runs monthly walks from the TAV centre in Cardiff. The students have also set up their first exercise class. This is such an important initiative in promoting healthy lifestyles within this community as well as providing a social space and giving the service users something to do within their week.

Megan Stansfield, a physiotherapy student and volunteer lead for ACTAV8 said ‘We have undertaken a huge amount of work to change this group from a 6 week research project to a regular activity group. I wanted to get involved to make a difference to the wider society of Cardiff. I feel this was a great initiative to get involved and do something to help’

It’s great to do something which is so proactive and makes such a big difference to the lives of the homeless. For the service users it is a great opportunity to get out and about and meet new people. I am so excited for the future of ACTAV8.

To find out more information or to get involved in ACTAV8, students can sign up on the Cardiff University Student’ Union volunteering website or contact ACTAV8 leads; Monica Reading at ReadingMA@cardiff.ac.uk or Megan Stansfield at StansfieldME@cardiff.ac.uk.