The idea
We help disabled people to identify and overcome barriers to exercise and to get fit in our gym, building strength and confidence so that they can reach their fitness goals. With this project we will provide more disability exercise sessions including ones which are focused on finding other enjoyable activities and exercise opportunities in the local area. We want to extend our impact beyond the walls of the gym and into the community. Our incredible instructors are integral. Achieving the unthinkable–including aiding people to move from wheelchair to walking, to succeeding in supporting life-changing mobility for those with brain injuries and strokes our premier personal trainers have enabled our gym members to physically and mentally prosper. With your help we will deliver one-one exercise sessions, small group exercise classes, and many opportunities to continue our support while people take part in other local activities, broadening their scope for staying fit and active long term.
What we'll deliver
- Provide one-one exercise sessions for disabled people
- Provide supported sessions outside of the gym, at local leisure centres and other community spaces
- Lay on an event to celebrate participants achievements and to sign post to other local activities
- Provide small group exercise classes for people to meet others and make friends
Why it's a great idea
The people we help have complicated health conditions and disabilities that impact their abilities to be active and take part in exercise, so we have developed a can-do approach and an expertise to both work around what people can’t do and seek out what they can do. Our Level 3-4 instructors specialise in adapting exercise to meet the needs of anyone who is willing to try, and supporting them to achieve results. Gym attendees achieve things they had long given up on believing were possible, and some people achieve spectacular results like no longer needing their wheelchair or going back to employment. Many people end up relying less on family or paid carers and most people feel that they have gained more ability to manage their health and built up a higher level of personal resilience and confidence.Some of the conditions we work with: MS, stroke, spinal and head injury, cardiac rehab, learning disability, autism, diabetes, mental illness, cerebral palsy and neurological disorders.
Steps to get it done
- promoting the project to disabled people
- 30 people signed up to the programme and assessed
- Exercise sessions delivered in and out of the gym
- celebratory event delivered
- participants reassessed and outcomes measured
- participants using local exercise and leisure facilities
- 10 disabled people volunteering
