Sports and exercise improves (mental) health. De Schakel, Pigment vzw and De Buurtwinkel therefore encourage people living in poverty to engage in more exercise.
Hamza from the VGC Sports Service has noticed that those who participate in sports forget their daily concerns during the hour devoted to various sports. Veerle of De Buurtwinkel is also enthusiastic:
While walking, our clients tell us about their family, situation and problems. A sort of therapy on the go.
A client agrees: “We walk with a laugh and a tear. We didn’t start out as a group of friends, but we are seeing friendship grow.” The fitness programmes offered by De Schakel and Les Gazelles de Bruxelles have also been popular.
It’s now been 3 years since I attended a fitness centre; now, I count down every week until it’s Tuesday again, says Hakim.
Ilyas adds: "Thanks to the fitness programme, I have 1 hour a week of peace of mind."
