Exercise Scheme Celebrates Four Years of Service to the Hailsham Community

A free exercise class scheme launched by Hailsham Active in partnership with the Town Council and Our Parks/Fields In Trust, continues to be of benefit to the local community and is celebrating four years of service inspiring people to become more active and improve their health into the bargain.

Launched in April 2018, Hailsham Active has provided free and easy access to low-impact exercise for people of all ages. Since being awarded £5,000 funding by the London Marathon Charitable Trust as part of The Active Spaces programme delivered in partnership with Fields in Trust, Hailsham Town Council has worked with Hailsham Active and Our Parks/Fields In Trust to deliver and operate the Hailsham Active scheme.

The group has grown since its launch and has introduced new sessions at the Western Road Recreation Ground, James West Community Centre and other locations, with some classes/sessions attracting more than 30 participants.

During the spring and forthcoming summer months, residents are able to meet their friends and join a qualified fitness instructor to get active and chat about health and wellbeing at the various exercise sessions, which currently take place at the Western Road Recreation Ground on Saturdays from 8am-9am, with a version of the Couch to 5k whereby everybody is welcome – especially if they haven’t run for years and want to make a gentle return.

From 9am to 10am on Saturdays at the recreation ground, gentle activity classes take place free of charge or with voluntary donations accepted. Classes also take place at the recreation ground on Tuesdays from 6.30pm to 7.30pm.

Additional classes take place at the Hailsham East Community Centre on Wednesday evenings from 7pm to 8pm, with women’s self-defence and fitness classes run by Fighting Fit (part of Hailsham Boxing Club) – itself currently FOC and sponsored by Sport England via Hailsham Active.

Exercise sessions are led by experienced, fully qualified and insured instructors and include a range of classes such as yoga, pilates, back-to-exercise and gentle exercise. No bookings are required – just turn up and take part.

Deputy Town Clerk Mickey Caira, who encourages residents to take advantage of the many recreational opportunities offered within the town post-pandemic, said: “It is wonderful news that the Town Council and Hailsham Active have been able to work with the community over the past four years to deliver and expand provision of easy access exercises classes.”

“All classes are taken by fully qualified instructors and will help everyone get fit or at least have fun trying. Furthermore, classes are suitable for all fitness levels with the aim of engaging everyone regardless of age and fitness experience. So why not attend a session and find out how it works?”

Steve Wennington, chairman of Hailsham Active, said: “We are very grateful to the Town Council which has fully supported our aims of creating more health and fitness opportunities for the residents of Hailsham.”

“We continue to work with the Town Council to promote other opportunities and look forward to rolling out additional exercise classes when we are able to. I would also like to thank all those who attend the classes and make it such fun.”

Town Mayor Councillor Paul Holbrook, who encourages local residents to take advantage of the many recreational and sports opportunities offered within the town, said: “It is wonderful news that the Town Council and Hailsham Active have been able to work with the community to deliver and expand provision of free or low cost, easy access exercises classes.”

To find out more about the classes, call 07980 643827 or email andreaattilane@gmail.com. Alternatively, visit their Facebook page (Mezaros Andrea/Hailsham Active) or their website, which includes videos of classes: hailshamactive.org.

NOTES TO EDITORS

• Fields in Trust is an independent charity with over 90 years’ experience protecting parks and green spaces. They work with landowners, community groups and policymakers to champion the value of parks and green spaces to achieve better protection for their future at both local and national level.
• London Marathon Charitable Trust (LMCT) was created in 1981 by London Marathon founders Chris Brasher and John Disley. Their vision ensured that the profits from the race, and future events organised by London Marathon Events Ltd, would go to The London Marathon Charitable Trust in perpetuity.
• To date, LMCT has awarded grants totalling in excess of £65.5 million to more than 1,170 projects in London, Surrey and other areas where London Marathon Events Ltd has organised events. London Marathon Events Ltd donates 100% of its profits to The Trust.