A new partnership between Active Surrey, Future Fit Training, Places Leisure, and Stanwell Events brings fully funded fitness qualifications, and real employment pathways, to one of Surrey's most inactive areas.
A cohort of seven local women have begun a 10-week programme that will see them qualify as Group Fitness Instructors and then put those skills to work right on their doorstep. The initiative, called Active Stanwell, is being led by Inspiring Active Pathways (IAP) CIC, funded by Active Surrey in partnership with Future Fit Training, Places Leisure and Stanwell Events; fully funded, removing financial barriers to professional development for residents in one of the county’s most underactive communities.
Stanwell is a community facing significant health challenges. Nearly one in three adults in the area get fewer than 30 minutes of moderate exercise per week; a rate of 30.5%, compared to 22% across Surrey as a whole. Active Stanwell was designed specifically to address this gap, by investing in the people who already live and belong there.
The statistics:
These participants bring with them a rich range of personal experiences, from navigating long-term health conditions and single parenthood to living with autism. Their goal is not simply to earn a qualification, but to teach people like themselves: people who may feel intimidated by traditional gym environments or who have never seen themselves reflected in a fitness instructor.
“These incredible women represent a diverse cross-section of the Stanwell community and have become supportive friends through this experience. By training individuals who are relatable and culturally connected to the people they will serve, we are creating something that has lasting impact, not just for the participants, but for the whole community. We’ve heard how their learning is also positively impacting their families in making healthier choices at home through movement and nutrition.”
Elaine Briggs – Inspiring Active Pathways
This hybrid programme goes well beyond classroom learning. Each participant receives weekly one-to-one coaching from Inspiring Active Pathways, starter learner packs, free lunch at in person sessions, dedicated customer service support from the Future Fit Training team, with a career talk and behind the scene tour at the local leisure facility with Place Leisure and in-person practical instructor sessions delivered locally at Stanwell Events. The wrap-around support is intentional, designed to give every learner the best possible chance of completing and thriving.
Active Surrey has provided the funding that makes all of this possible at no cost to participants. Stanwell Events, an established community partner, provides the venue and a nutritious lunch. The partnership builds on an established working relationship and a shared vision: that improving physical activity is as much about creating social connection and meaningful employment as it is about exercise itself.
Once qualified, the new instructors will not simply enter the general job market. Working with Active Surrey and local community groups, the partners plan to help graduates shape and deliver group exercise sessions directly in Stanwell, with the ambition of making the area a recognised hub of community movement and physical activity.
The evidence for what this kind of investment can achieve is clear. Research shows that regular physical activity reduces the risk of depression by up to 30%, and that group fitness settings amplify these benefits by reducing isolation. A single skilled local instructor can engage hundreds of participants over the course of a career; individuals who may never have entered a gym, but who will turn up for someone they know and trust.
Future Fit Group encompasses various subsidiaries, all dedicated to revolutionising learning and development, driving a new era of growth and innovation.
Future Fit Group is a leading provider of health and fitness education, offering accredited qualifications, professional development courses, and career support to individuals who are passionate about making a difference in the health and wellbeing industry. With an unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation, Future Fit Group equips its students and partners with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in their careers and make a positive impact on the lives of others.
For more information, visit www.wearefuturefit.co.uk