I have been an Exercise Referral Instructor for over 30 years and managed the scheme for 20 of those years at Sheerness Leisure Centre, Sheppey. I’ve worked as an NHS Health Trainer for nine years and delivered the pilot project for Health Checks in the southeast. I’ve run projects for Sport England, Swale Borough Council and the NHS in Swale for three years working with those who are new to exercise and those who are coming back from injury or who have a health condition.
I was first approached by Active Kent & Medway (Kent Sport at the time) about a new project called ‘Everyday Active’, which they wanted to deliver initially in three locations, one of which was Sheppey. Because of my knowledge and experience they felt I would fit perfectly as an Everyday Active Champion. The diversity of the role really excited me. I felt it would allow me to open doors and work in a way that I had never been able to do so before.
My role covers the whole of the Isle of Sheppey. It ranges from working with an individual, delivering a home exercise programme to working with services like Parkinsons UK, or helping a local Instructor set up a Walking Netball group in Eastchurch.
In addition to my champion role, I lead a walking group called ‘Walking for Health’ with sessions all over the island. The walks average around 120 attendances a month and I run these with six other volunteer walk leaders. I have also set up a group called ‘Retrain the Pain’ alongside a volunteer Therapist. Through education and movement, we support people living with pain to help improve their health and wellbeing.
I love my champion role because it is so diverse and it allows me to support my local area, clubs, services and residents to help more people become more active, more often.
The role gives me the freedom to support the local community in a way that is needs led, not by what is thought to be needed or wanted. This is done through constant community engagement work with local people and local services like the social prescribers, One You advisors, Salvation Army and community wardens.
If you’re thinking about becoming a Champion, I would say 100% do it. I have never regretted taking on the role. You can make it your own and really make a difference in your local area. Active Kent & Medway has been really supportive of me. Every local community needs this role.
Visit the Sheppey Community Page on Everyday Active
If you’d like to become an Everyday Active Champion and support your local community to become more active, get in touch with Yasmin Hosken, Everyday Active Officer at Active Kent & Medway, via email: yasmin.hosken@kent.gov.uk
