Meet the Changemakers

• Holi Courtney-Ward, founder and teacher at The He4t dance group

  Holi is the founder of the He4t dance company, based in Tewkesbury. Holi runs dance classes for all ages and abilities and believes dancing isn’t just for “dancers” and wants people who enjoy dancing to have a space to do so.

  Holi set up the He4t during the Covid-19 pandemic, and in the past 4 years, the classes have grown and has over 200 members.

  Holi said “There aren’t many of these classes locally and I’ve had amazing feedback from my current members. Many of the participants say these classes are more than ‘just a dance class’. It gives them the ‘I can do it’ attitude that they may well lack as well as a confidence to give things a go that might be out of their comfort zone.”

• MaryClare Faulkner, Inclusive Cycling Lead at Goals Beyond Grass

  MaryClare set up the Gloucestershire Wheels for All project in 2016 with the national charity Leonard Cheshire. With the help of many volunteers and colleagues she now delivers inclusive cycling around Gloucestershire with the local charity Goals Beyond Grass.

  MaryClare is passionate about enabling people who would otherwise be unable to cycle, to enjoy the activity in safe, off-road environments. The project provides access to a range of adapted bikes which enable people to enjoy the freedom, well-being and physical exercise and social interactions that cycling allows. The carers and family members who accompany the participants can also benefit from all the above as well as the volunteers.

• Yacoob Patel, Volunteer Coach at Rising Stars YFC

  Yacoob is a volunteer coach at Rising Stars Football Club who delivers football sessions in Barton and Tredworth. He has been pivotal in driving participation in an underrepresented and diverse community of young people. He coaches children from age 6 – 16, offering turn up and play sessions every Sunday morning, as well as Saturday matches. He goes far beyond a typical club coach and has been instrumental in the success for Rising Stars youth football.

  The club has over 10 nationalities that are united with the love of football and, under the influential and dedication of their coach, Yacoob, they come together to show the power sport can have.

• Abbeymead Pirates

  Embarking on a journey of camaraderie and empowerment, Abbeymead Pirates charts a course unlike any other. Under the steadfast guidance of Abbeymead Rovers, this walking football club is not just a team, but a beacon of inspiration and inclusion. PIRATES, an acronym teeming with significance—Physical Interaction, Recuperation And Training for Everyone—captures the essence of their mission, that transcends conventional sportsmanship.

  Since its inception, Abbeymead Pirates has become a vibrant community, with its membership swelling to a over 40 individuals, each bearing their own unique story and facing diverse health challenges, including Alzheimer’s.

  At the heart of this extraordinary club are the volunteers, whose unwavering dedication fuels the club’s success. Seven champions were nominated for their selfless contributions, each with a distinct role but united by a common passion—to nurture, to uplift, and to ignite the flame of physical activity in those they support.

• Léla Thomas, Founder and Director of SOH Fit Community Fitness Sessions

  Léla is a fitness instructor in Gloucester; she has recently opened a ladies only fitness studio focused on supporting women’s optimal health and delivers community exercise classes for older adults too. She offers a variety of fitness classes and personal training services that cater to diverse needs. Lela’s  aim to cultivate a supportive and motivating atmosphere within her fitness studio where women feel comfortable, encouraged, and empowered to embrace their fitness journey, regardless of their starting point.

  Léla is deeply passionate about supporting residents to achieve their optimal health and well-being. Lela said “As a fitness instructor, I have personally experienced the transformative power of exercise and healthy living, and I am committed to sharing that experience with others. I believe that everyone, especially women, deserves to feel strong, confident, and capable in their own body, and I am dedicated to providing the resources and support necessary to help them achieve that.”

• Marguerita Mills

  Marguerita supports people to get active in a different way. Through the Wellbeing Garden Project, she encourages people to get outside and do some gardening, whether it be digging, planting, pruning or mowing.

  Marguerita loves gardening and encourages others to do the same. She spends time connecting with participants, understanding their needs, abilities and interests and then showing them how to do different projects. Marguerita shows her appreciation for what participants have achieved and likes to check in with them to see how they are progressing.

• Keasha Kellam

  The Honour Thy Woman Group’s Wellbeing Programme, led by Keasha, offers activities like nature walks, foraging, yoga, and mobility exercises to promote creativity, health, and wellbeing among survivors of domestic abuse. These activities provide a safe space for women to engage in self-care, socialize, and heal from past traumas. Peer mentors encourage participation in leading a healthy lifestyle. The programme includes Herbal Brue sessions discussing the benefits of various plants, along with mindful walks.

  Through the Honour Thy Woman Group’s Wellbeing Programme, Keasha has dedicated herself to supporting survivors of domestic abuse, offering them not just practical support, but also a nurturing environment where healing and growth can flourish.

• Aaron Davies, Health and Wellbeing Coach at GL Communities.

  Aaron is a Health and Wellbeing Coach based at the Phoenix Centre in Gloucester. He strongly believes physical activity has a positive effect on the body and really gives people the ‘feel good factor’. Aaron is an advocate for moving for mental health.

  Aaron’s aim is to support people to improve their Strength, balance and mobility and offers a variety of sessions and classes such as one-to-one coaching, walking groups and yoga which are open to anyone in the community.

  He believes moving the body creates a free mind and wants his sessions to help people with their self-belief, confidence, independence, weight management, movement patterns, and overall health and wellbeing.

• Sinéad Byrne, Head Instructor at Kenbu Dojo

  Sinéad teaches martial arts but gives lots of other opportunities for her students to get active or just be social together in a supportive and comfortable environment.  Sinéad said “Most of my members feel like an extended family, meaning they have a safe space to be themselves and have support of either myself or others through life’s many ups and downs and so I l love to support them and be their biggest cheerleader inside and outside of our club.”

  Sinéad is passionate about making a difference and feels that if she can make one person’s life better for doing what she does, then every day will always be worth it.

• Lara Attwood and Sam Quinson, Social Prescribing Link Workers for Caring for Communities and People/NHS & Cheltenham Central Primary Care Network

  A duo of changemakers; Lara and Sam support the local community in their general wellbeing goals and encourage patients to actively work towards healthier, happier lifestyles.

  As part of their role as Social Prescribing Link Workers, they run a fortnightly walking group which they encourage patients to join to give them the opportunity to get out of the house, meet new people, and benefit from some light exercise. They also support people who are unable to get out and about through links to online exercise classes.

  Lara and Sam are passionate about helping people combat social isolation and manage pain through physical activity. They believe exercise is a solution to many problems, both mentally and physically.

• Marion Simmons

  Marion became a volunteer at Charlies after she was supported by the Charity through her cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery.  Marion has since become a volunteer who offers organised walks for people affected by cancer. Marion also arranges and advertises the walks, as well as organising a place where participants can meet for a coffee after the walk.

  As someone who has first hand experience of having had cancer, Marion offers a listening ear, talks from her own experience and is a calming support to anyone that she can help.

Get inspired

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  Inspirational stories

  We have so many inspirational stories to tell about our changemakers and people who are feeling the benefits of moving more. Check out their stories.

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  Events

  We host a range of events all year round, including training sessions, workshops and round table discussions. Keep up to date with our events.

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  Networks

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