Icehearts in Piacenza: Sport, Theater, and Nature to Grow Together

Once a week, in the gym of Pezzani Elementary School in Piacenza, a group of 20 first-grade children takes part in an experience that goes beyond simple play. Icehearts Europe, a project promoted by Uisp, is taking shape here as well, using sports as a tool for emotional growth through sports workshops and more. Since its launch in October, participation has remained steady, a clear sign of the value that both children and their families see in this initiative.

“We have chosen to offer a variety of activities to meet the educational and relational needs of the children. In addition to sports, we focus on psychomotor skills, swimming, and theater, alternating them throughout the month,” says Ilaria Salerno, head of the Icehearts groups at Uisp Piacenza. “Our weekly two-hour meetings are not just moments of play and movement but opportunities to build relationships and develop emotional and social skills.”

The swimming pool next to the school is a valuable resource that allows swimming to be integrated naturally, thanks to the support of Uisp instructors. Similarly, in theater activities, an expert guides the children through expressive exercises and themed workshops. The latest theater experience focused on emotions—an essential topic at this age. Through role-playing and group activities, the children explored emotions such as anger, joy, fear, and courage. “One child with disabilities in the group struggled to express anger during the workshop, but the group was incredibly supportive,” says Salerno, highlighting a perfect example of how these activities foster collective growth.

However, the Icehearts experience is not confined to indoor spaces. Learning also happens through exploring the environment. For this reason, during the psychomotor workshops, a biologist guided the group's activities. In the coming days, the children will leave the school to visit a natural park, where they will strengthen their bond with nature and experience a different learning environment.

Activities with mentors—key figures for the educational aspect of the project—will continue until the end of May, reinforcing a journey that goes beyond play and sports, focusing on well-being and strengthening group bonds. “The beauty of it is seeing the children supporting each other, listening, and sharing experiences,” concludes Salerno.

Funded by the EU4Health-2022 European program, Icehearts Europe is active in eight countries, including Finland, Spain, and Denmark. In Italy, Uisp is at the heart of this initiative, which involves 400 children across 12 local committees. The project, coordinated at the European level by ISCA - International Sport and Culture Association, has a clear goal: to provide every child with a safe environment to grow, overcome difficulties, and feel like an active part of a community. (Lorenzo Boffa)

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them