City's free fitness sessions for all

It is hoped the free sessions, being run by SIV, will help to increase sport and physical exercise in the local community.

The sessions, including boxing, will be offered at Shipshape Health & Wellbeing Centre, in Sharrow, and are partly funded by Sheffield City Council’s Community Well-being Programme.

The ‘ShipShape’ project was initially designed to support local people with mental health or drug and alcohol misuse issues – but is now open to any members of the public who would like to attend.

City Ship Shape participant Adam Jefferies said: “ShipShape improved my mental health and my confidence which, in turn, has helped my physical health.

“I left school with no qualifications and had issues with drugs. I first heard about the project from friends who work at the ShipShape centre and I’ve never looked back since getting involved.

“It’s not about being an elite sportsperson and it’s not about how good you are. It’s about benefitting you physically and mentally, which it has done for me.”

The sessions are delivered by a qualified instructor who has a background in helping people manage long-term conditions through physical activity. SIV is part of the not-for-profit Sheffield City Trust, whose primary objective is to improve the health and wellbeing of Sheffield people by providing facilities for sport and leisure activities.

Sheffield health worker Phil Eddyshaw said: “We’re extremely grateful for SIV’s help with this and hope it will have a real impact on the community. Within the group there are people who have had issues in the past with drugs and drink misuse, and problems with mental health, but we are aiming the sessions at anybody who wants to get fitter.”

For more information on ShipShape, contact Phil Eddyshaw on 07757 634967.