Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership (SASP) are excited to have launched the ‘In It Together’ women’s project in January 2022 covering the whole of Somerset, offering exercise and sports activities for women. The project aims to increase activity levels in women of any age (16+), background or area in Somerset through community-based exercise and sports activities such as Pilates, fit steps, badminton, tennis, netball, running, cycling and more.
All the sessions are led by coaches and instructors who have the same goal; to help break down those barriers that women face, empower them to move in their own way, remove that self-doubt, and most importantly, to enjoy it! The programmes motto is all about fun, friends and feeling good.
The pandemic has had a significant impact on the engagement and levels of physical activity in people, with women’s activity levels remaining consistently lower than usual from May 2020 to May 2021. It has seen an unprecedented disruption to people’s lives and Sport England’s Active Lives Survey data for Somerset shows that 22% of women living in the county are inactive, doing less than 30 minutes of activity a week. Factors contributing to the overall picture seen in this drop, include stress, financial challenges, disruptions to routines and uncertainty for the future.
SASP therefore want to help women to be more active in the everchanging landscape right now, but also break down the physical and mental barriers women in Somerset are currently facing. The ‘In It Together’ project is so important for this reason, with not only new barriers being faced, but pre-existing barriers (pre-pandemic) that are faced daily by women. The reality of these challenges is that this isn’t unique to a few women, these issues are experienced by your mother, your daughter, your neighbours, your colleagues. The sport, activity and exercise course/classes we are offering is hoped to remove the pressure of physical activity perceived by women that have been placed upon them for far too long.
Charlotte Norman, ‘In It Together’ Women’s Development Officer says, “I am so passionate about the In It Together programme, as its purpose is to support and encourage women in any time of life into a lifestyle of movement, but have either found just thinking about activity daunting, or just don’t know where to start”.
To launch this new programme and in line with International Women’s Day in March, SASP are holding an exciting event for local women to come and try new activities. Join them on Saturday 5th March from 10am at the Centre for Outdoor Education & Community Hub (C.O.A.C.H), French Weir Park, Taunton, TA1 1AW. There will be taster sessions in an array of activities from Zumba to exercise classes in the parkroom, to different activities on the outdoor space.
This is a free event and no booking is required for the outdoor activities. Their friendly instructors will put you at ease, so bring a friend and come along. SASP will also have local businesses showcasing what’s on offer and a special celebratory parkrun at 9am to celebrate International Women’s Day. Families and friends are welcome for support.
To book onto any of the indoor activities, visit: www.sasp.co.uk/forms/view/taster-activity-day.