Release date: Immediate
Disabled People Invited To Join Free Fitness Instructor Course At
Brentwood Leisure Centre
InstructAbility, a multi award winning project joins forces with Brentwood Leisure Centre to offer disabled people a FREE
opportunity to become qualified fitness instructors.
A few months ago Brentwood Leisure Centre provided a voluntary placement for InstructAbility student, Sam Brooker.
Sam has subsequently been offered some paid work and the opportunity to gain further instructor qualifications at the
Centre. which is now playing host to an InstructAbility course that is due to start in Janaury.
Hilary Farmiloe, National InstructAbility Project Manager says,
“This is a great opportunity for disabled people in the local area to start a career in the fitness industry. Last year’s
students have done really well in welcoming other disabled people into gyms and supporting them to exercise. As this is
the final year of our Sport England grant we hope people will grab this opportunity now and we welcome applications up
until the end of November. ”
Past student, Lee Cartwright from Nazeing, Essex, joined the programme after recovering from a stroke. Lee qualified as
an instructor and undertook his voluntary placement at Epping Sports Centre, due to his success he has now been offered
paid work with another Everyone Active site in Waltham Abbey.
Mr Cartwright said:
"The programme has given me a fantastic opportunity to help support other disabled people the same way
I was supported at the beginning and it has spurred me to want to progress and specialise in stroke rehabilitation. The
course has changed my life. ”
Epping Manger, Kim Barnes, said, “Lee has actively promoted exercise within the stroke community demonstrating how it
can improve quality of life and well-being. Through his personal experience and exceptional communication skills he has
been a great ambassador.”
Another student, Drew Walker from Waltham Cross has just been offered full time employment following successful work
placement at the Laura Trott Leisure Centre. Drew, who is a lower arm amputee is thrilled with the outcome. He said,
“I was in work but it wasn’t something I was passionate about and felt like I was stuck in a rut and didn’t know how to get
out. The InstructAbility programme gave me the opportunity to better myself and inspire others.”
The FREE programme, is open to unemployed, disabled people who are over sixteen, have some gym user experience and
able to work at GCSE level. You can apply online at www.aspire.org.uk. Call: 07917 822977 or Email:
instructability@aspire.org.uk for further information.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors
Hilary Farmiloe, InstructAbility National Project Manager
07917 822977 hilary.farmiloe@aspire.org.uk
InstructAbility Sport England is currently funding a three year plan (2013-2015) to deliver 36 courses
across London, South Eastern, Midlands, Eastern and Northern regions.
Aspire is a national charity that provides practical help to people who have been paralysed by spinal
cord injuries. Every eight hours in the UK someone is paralysed by a spinal cord injury and Aspire exists
because there is currently no cure. For more information about our core services including Aspire
Housing, Assistive Technology, Independent Living Advisors and Aspire Grants, visit www.aspire.org.uk
YMCAfit is one the UK’s leading training providers in the field of exercise, fitness and activity for health;
driven by the belief that everyone in society is entitled to the health benefits of regular physical activity.
It is part of Central YMCA whose mission is to change health attitudes and behaviour through advocacy,
education and direct delivery. www.ymcafit.org.uk