The Sport, Leisure and Libraries team in Clackmannanshire has been collaborating across departments on a project to deliver free and inclusive physical activity opportunities for adults aged 50 and over.
The Feel Good Friday programme was launched and scheduled to run every second Friday from 11am to 12:30pm at The Speirs Centre library in Alloa.
The project, supported and funded through sportscotland’s New Ideas equality outcomes, set out to explore how the library environment could be used to encourage physical activity and enhance wellbeing.
The Speirs Centre holds strong memories within the community due to its long association with sport, having originally served as the town’s public baths and gymnasium before being transformed into the library in 2014.
Karyn Stewart, Community Sports Hub Coordinator, Clackmannanshire Council, said:
“Without the New Ideas project, we probably wouldn’t have considered the library as a venue for physical activity sessions, but it’s shown us how well these welcoming, inclusive spaces can support the community.”
A new approach to wellbeing
The project was initiated by the Libraries team as they were looking at ways to continue wellbeing activities in library, after running a successful wellbeing café to encourage people into the library following the covid pandemic.
The Libraries team looked at how they could work with the Sports and Leisure team to put together a programme which had a stronger emphasis on sport.
The programme, which was designed in partnership between the Libraries and Sport and Leisure colleagues featured guest speakers and activity-based sessions centred around sport and physical activity. Each session also included time for socialising, with participants encouraged to enjoy a tea or coffee together.
Between March and December 2025, the programme delivered 20 sessions featuring a wide range of guest speakers and activities. Topics included Scotland’s Strongest Man, hill walking in the Ochils, the history of boxing in the local area, and football programmes.
Activity sessions such as chair yoga, boccia, and chi kung were also included to offer participants varied opportunities to get involved.
The programme of talks and activity sessions have also provided an opportunity to see how the library space could be used for different types of activity. Participant feedback highlighted that the library felt inclusive and offered a warm, welcoming environment.
Reflecting on the project, Karyn Stewart, said:
“There are a lot of learnings to share with my team and the clubs that are part of the community sport hubs I work with. This project has shown how strong the community need is for opportunities to get active in a relaxed setting.”
Participants noted that the library felt less intimidating than traditional sport and exercise settings, as there was no expectation to wear specific sporting attire.
Ultimately, the Feel Good Friday sessions highlighted the welcoming atmosphere of the library and reinforced the important role libraries play in providing supportive spaces where people can learn, connect, and try new activities.
Finding balance
One of the key outcomes of the project was establishing a weekly chair yoga session at The Speirs Centre, introduced by the Sport and Leisure team in response to the venue’s popularity. The project has also opened up new opportunities for closer collaboration across the Sport, Leisure and Libraries teams.
When designing the programme, the team anticipated that the same group of participants would attend each session. However, the varied nature of the programme attracted different attendees each time, depending on their interest in the specific topic.
The biweekly schedule allowed the team to organise a mixed programme of guest speakers and activities, but it offered less consistency for participants and required frequent promotion to keep potential attendees informed about upcoming sessions.
What the community said
Reflecting on participant feedback, the team made the decision to run weekly sessions from January 2026, with each session focusing on physical activity.
To support greater flexibility, a range of equipment was purchased and stored within the library, allowing activities to be adapted to the needs and interests of participants.
The emphasis of the weekly sessions is to provide opportunities for people to be active and to socialise through games and movement in a relaxed, welcoming setting.
Karyn Stewart, Community Sports Hub Coordinator, Clackmannanshire Council, said:
“What’s been most inspiring is seeing the new friendships develop and the joy in getting to just play – as adults there’s not always enough opportunities to play and get active whilst having a laugh. By creating a space where everyone feels comfortable to take part, we’re not only supporting physical activity but also strengthening connections across the community.”
Since moving to weekly sessions in January, a regular core group has begun attending, often bringing along friends and neighbours and helping the sessions grow through word of mouth.
As one attendee shared, “My favourite activity at Feel Good Friday was the beach volleyball it was so funny and we all couldn’t stop giggling”.
Participants have spoken about how much they enjoy having the chance to try something new, and the sense of joy that comes from simply playing and having fun. The sessions have been filled with laughter, new friendships, and a willingness to give new activities a go.
Another participant added, “I come back to Feel Good Friday as it’s fab doing the activities and for the company as well.”
