Why Beverley “Hearts” Fitmums

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Getting fit, having fun and meeting new friends is an ethos that has always been close to the hearts of the members of East Yorkshire running, walking and buggy burn group And Friends.

Tracey Dennison, 38, of , is a nurse and a mum of two children. She has been a member of Fitmums and Friends for three years, since signing up with a friend and has also recruited her husband to the group’s increasing ranks of male runners. She says there is already a good demand for training sessions to take place in Beverley:

“I love Fitmums because we socialise while we’re doing it. I joined when my youngest child was three years old – it was the first time I’d taken time out for me – just 30 minutes’ headspace. You need that if you have pre-school children. The childcare that runs alongside the sessions I attend is invaluable as there’s no minimum age limit. Now, I’ll be attending Beverley sessions as well.

“My friend and I aren’t particularly the serious ones of the group – we’re always at the back! It’s often said that we’d progress if we didn’t talk as much. We’re fun runners but, if I don’t run for a four or five days, I start to feel really sluggish. A few of us just like to go along to blow off a few cobwebs and stay healthy.”

Now, the successful, not-for-profit group is offering pioneering free training sessions in Beverley. And its enthusiastic volunteers, backed by leading cardiology experts, are keeping a close eye on the hearts of others in the community, too.

Funded by NHS East Riding of Yorkshire Public Health, Fitmums And Friends is in Beverley – a British Heart Foundation (BHF) Healthy Heart Town – for a trial period to give residents the chance to enjoy a fun exercise session and improve their cardiovascular health.

The Fitmums volunteers – recognisable by their distinctive pink and blue kit – want of all ages and fitness levels to join in with their 12-week pilot scheme, which is supported by qualified run leaders. They promise a fun and friendly introduction to exercise to help maintain healthy hearts and, as a result, save lives. Childcare is available for a small charge.

Fitmums founder Sam Barlow says: “Our 12-week pilot scheme in Beverley is great news. I’m delighted we have been able to set up another Fitmums group with childcare, as lack of childcare can make it very difficult for parents to exercise. I love the fact we can work together with an organisation such as Jack In A Box to break down those barriers.”

Babies and pre-school children can be left in the safety of registered Jack In The Box childcare providers within the town’s soft play centre, Mega Fun. And parents, grandparents or carers can improve their health by taking part in the fun, friendly training sessions.

“We have five different run leaders on board so we will be able to offer gentle runs – from one mile to six-mile runs – for all abilities from the off,” says Sam.

Sam set up Fitmums in 2009 when she was looking for a way to get fit and meet new friends. It has grown from just five runners, who met in front of her Cottingham home, to 260 members, no longer only in Cottingham, but now in Beverley, west Hull, South Cave and soon, . It is supported by leading cardiology experts.

Professor Patrick Doherty, chair of rehabilitation and associate clinical lead for Cardiac Rehabilitation (NHS Improvement) says: “The coming together of Fitmums and BHF Heart Town in Beverley is a brilliant initiative that increases the likelihood of people of all ages, coming into contact with genuine and sustainable prevention opportunities. The battle ahead is tough and, as is demonstrated here, requires leadership to bring about community-wide change. It’s great to see the north-east of England leading the way!”

Dr Simon Thackray MD, MRCP, consultant interventional cardiologist at Hull and East Yorkshire NHS Trust, not only welcomes the expansion of Fitmums And Friends into Beverley, he says it has the potential to save lives.

Dr Thackray says: “Beverley is a Healthy Heart Town – this is important for us in this area, and for everyone in Beverley. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in men and women in this country, and exercise and being heart healthy is the most important way that we can all reduce our risk. Fitmums is part of the Heart Town programme and is one of the ways that we can save lives.

“Becoming and keeping physically fit is a great idea for all people of all ages, yet can be difficult for all of us. I’m very happy to lend my support to the Fitmums project. Good luck to everyone who is part of it.”

NHS East Riding of Yorkshire community health development worker Sarah Oliver sits on the steering council of the BHF’s Beverley Heart Town initiative. She says: “Beverley will remain a Heart Town for the next two-and-a-half years, so it is important to us to support heart health and the Fitmums’ pilot scheme.”

Shereen Morgan is one of the Beverley Fitmums run leaders. She personifies the social aspect of the training sessions. A runner for 12 years, she joined Fitmums five months ago, qualified as leader, and hasn’t looked back.

“I’m a carthorse, not a racehorse,” admits Shereen, cheerily. “I enjoy my running but I don’t enjoy it if I feel as though I’m being harassed. I love the context of running with Fitmums. Nobody can come here and say they can’t run, because we help all ages, all shapes and all sizes.

“The great thing about Fitmums is, no matter what your ability, you’re never left behind. Nobody gets deflated, or feels rubbish – we keep morale up. At some running groups, it’s easy to feel bad if you’re not as fast as the others but at Fitmums you’re as good as anybody else.

“You don’t always want to be the fastest, or the best. Sometimes, you just want to enjoy yourself. We have a chuckle as we run. It all helps to take any extra stress away. Anybody can get that feel-good factor with us – it’s a massive part of the appeal of the group.”

In fact, the Fitmums’ shepherding system is the heartbeat that strengthens the club’s supportive spirit. It means the front runners regroup when a large gap appears between themselves and runners at the back of a group. The front runner turns back to head towards the last runner, with all other runners following suit until the back runners are – albeit temporarily – at the front of the group. This allows everyone to progress at their own pace, without unnecessary pressure.

The British Heart Foundation’s Beverley Heart Town initiative is backed by NHS East Riding of Yorkshire and East Riding of Yorkshire Council. Beverley became a BHF Heart Town in June 2012.

Childcare is available at some sessions.   Book directly with the venue as follows:  Mega Fun, Annie Reed Road, Beverley, tel:  01482 880091



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