• The Social Investment Business (SIB) committed £30,000 to the gym through their ‘First Steps’ programme which is run in partnership with ASDA,
• Sport England (SE) offered a £9,750 grants towards key projects like the teen fit program, volunteer training, activity for older people and setting up new ladies running groups.
• Co-op confirmed that C.A.R.E. had been selected as one of their local good causes for 2019-2020, so over the next 12 months, local Co-op members can choose C.A.R.E. to receive 1% of the value of select purchases which Co-op passes on to good causes.

On top of all the exciting funding news, on Saturday the centre formally opened with over 60+ local people gathering to enjoy a day of fun and tours the centre. The event attracted a lot of support with the police and fire brigade attending.

The gym is off to a fantastic start with membership growing rapidly and lots of positive social outcomes already being delivered. An example of this is the piloting of a seated circuits programme. As the video below shows in just a few weeks, this has grown in popularity with local older people, many of whom live with conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. What’s most exciting is that several of those who have attended each week are already reporting positive benefits to their mobility and confidence.