Fit Kit partner with Aspire

Partnership working between Affinity Trust’s Score Community Opportunities and the Aspire Community Hub in Hereford has led to new opportunities for members of both organisations.

The Fit Kit project enabled members of Score Community Opportunities, to work with a local DJ to make a musical track for an exercise routine we created with the help of Halo Leisure instructors. People at Score then made a DVD of the routine to give to people with a learning disability free of charge in Herefordshire, and also held local classes to inspire and encourage people to get fit. This has had numerous benefits, we’ve found that people gain a lot from being part of our exercise teams: confidence, social skills, communication skills, self-esteem, community presence, and of course, improved fitness.

Early in 2015 the weekly Fit Kit class had to find a new venue, and Rosemary Wooderson, Support Manager at Score, decided that partnership working could be the answer
“ I approached Aspire Community Hub and suggested an arrangement where we provided a session for their members, in exchange for the chance to access opportunities which they’re providing. Happily Aspire liked the idea. Now we have an arrangement where our Fit Kit Team hold a class there on Friday mornings, that is free for the Aspire members to access (non-members can attend at a small charge) and in exchange we’re going to have the chance to take a small group from here with staff support, to access a pottery course.”

The Fit Kit team going to Aspire’s Community Hub on Friday mornings is Jonathan, Andrew, Gemma and Laura.

Jonathan has been with Score since 2001. He’s been part of the Fit Kit team since its creation in 2011. He has already said about Fit Kit:

“I really enjoy Fit Kit, and I feel happy and proud because I work very hard doing the moves”.

Andrew has been attending Score for 7 years and has also been part of the Fit Kit team for 4 years. He’s also part of our Sit 2B Fit team (seated exercise).

Laura has been coming to Score for 8 years, and has recently joined the Fit Kit team. She has picked up the moves well and really enjoys going out with the team.

Gemma has been with Score for 3 years, and is an enthusiastic recent member of both the Fit Kit team and the Sit 2B Fit team.

Rosemary is extremely pleased with the benefits this arrangement will give to the people supported by both organisations.

“This is a great result and a brilliant example of the benefits of partnership working, as it means we’re able to offer a new and exciting activity to people we support, which we couldn’t otherwise provide for them. Aspire members in return get the chance to have a free weekly exercise session, so everyone benefits.”