Fitness Initiative Grant Award

Heartbeat Health & Fitness at Thrybergh Sports Centre

The Council has received an Inclusive Fitness Initiative grant award for Heartbeat Health & Fitness at Thrybergh Sports Centre in Rotherham. The Centre is only the 3rd accredited site in the region to achieve the award, and the first in South Yorkshire.

Funded by the English Federation of Disability Sport and Sport England, the award will ensure the availability of 'inclusive fitness' equipment to over 16's and training that covers disability awareness for Centre and Fitness Suite staff. New additions include Braille or 'tactile' marking on machines and dressing room facilities, increased parking and wheelchair access into the building. An 'upper body ergometer' and state of the art pieces of equipment designed specifically for disabled users have also been installed.

The initiative at Thrybergh Heartbeat Health & Fitness Suite aims to provide an excellent standard of training with personal programmes to all disabled users in the area. Staff have undertaken training with the YMCA to NVQ Level 2 standard. Instructors are now well equipped to cater to individuals of all disabilities by creating specific fitness programmes.

The team has already been working closely with local disability organisations, such as The Sue Ryder Group, Mencap, Newman and Kelford special schools, offering support and encouragement and are now looking forward to welcoming more disabled users from South Yorkshire and beyond.

The Inclusive Fitness Initiative is delighted with the scheme going ahead at Thrybergh and feel local users can only benefit from the new facilities.

Contact shirley.dyson@rotherham.gov.uk (Health & Fitness Coordinator) for further details on 01709 388502.