Spring Newsletter
We recently decided to change our monthly newletters to a quarterly post, so here’s a rundown of all the exciting changes, fun events and client achievements that have happened throughout the past few months.
New Staff Member
We are delighted to introduce Jess, the newest addition to our team! A recent physiotherapy graduate, Jess has a particular interest in neurological rehabilitation. She firmly believes in the impact of exercise and is deeply passionate about empowering our clients by combining her clinical expertise with a love for fitness. Jess pairs her specialised knowledge with a compassionate approach, fully committed to enhancing both the physical and psychological well-being of every client. Welcome to the team!
New Equipment
In the last few months, the gym has aquired more new equipment to better support our clients’ exercise programmes and make some exercises more accessible. We have a new Smith machine which benefits out clients who may have balance and stability issues due to its fixed bar path.
We have also added a new hip abductor and hip adduction machine; as many of our clients have mobility issues, it is important they build strength in their hips and glutes to maintain long term independence. This machine offers a safe training solution by providing fixed, seated resistance, which allows individuals with balance and stability difficulties to exercise safely without the risk of falls.
Defib fundraising
We are launching a fundraising campaign at CB Community Fitness to secure a defibrillator for our gym.
As cardiac arrest can happen completely without warning, have a defibrillator nearby can drastically improve survival rates while emergency services are en route. This life-saving device will be accessible to our gym members, mill employees, building visitors, and anyone in the immediate area during a medical crisis.
We are calling on our community to help us achieve this goal. Any contribution, regardless of the size, brings us one step closer to putting this vital equipment in place.
Football 11-a-side game
We were thrilled to celebrate the success of the recent 11-a-side football match, organised in partnership with Heads Up Therapies.
Several years ago, Craig and Ryan (OT/Director at Heads Up) established the ABI football group to create a safe, supportive space for those with an aquired brain injury to reconnect with the sport they love or try something new. It was a brilliant day, filled with exceptional sportsmanship and community spirit. It was truly inspiring to see several of our PT clients participate – some who were unable to run just a few years ago were sprinting up and down the pitch!
Supported by friends, family and rehabilitaion teams, the event not only showcased incredible physical progress but also strengthened the bonds of this growing community. We are already looking forward to doing it all again next year!
LD project
We are proud to launch a new initiative as part of our community branch, developed in partnership with NHS physiotherapists from Trafford.
This project provides an open, safe gym environment for community members with disabilties, who are welcome to attend alongside their families or support networks. With dedicated onsite assistance from our gym staff and expert physiotherapy guidance from our newest team member, Jess, we are committed to ensuring that fitness is truly accessible to everyone. Our goal is to breakdown barriers, proving that the gym is a welcoming space for all, regardless of ability.
Client Achievements
Celebrating our clients’ victories, no matter the size, is something we truly love to do. Here are a few notable achievements from recent months:
Aaron’s 5k
Just two years ago, Aaron used a wheelchair for mobility. Living with spasticity and dystonia and requiring a splint for walking, many would have though a 5k was out of reach. However, Aaron refused to let this define him and set himself the goal of completing a 5k.
After a few months of training with Craig and Jade, they both supported him as he successfully completed the 5k in June. Aaron did not finish the distance, but achieve an incredible tume of 35:34! We’re incredibly proud of Aaron’s outstanding work ethic and this remarkable achievement is a testament to his hard work and determination.
Shane’s Snowdown goal
Last year Shane set himself the ambitious goal of climbing Snowdon. To prepare, he committed to a dedicated training programme focused on building endurance, strengthening his knees and hips, and enhancing his overall mobility.
His hard work paid off in early July when, supported by Jade, Craigm and his support worker Mark, he succesfull summited Snowdon via the Llanberis path in an impressive 2 hours and 30 minutes, completing the full circle in just 5 hours. It’s an incredible achievement that highlights his determination, and Shane has already set his sights on his next challenge. conquering Ben Nevis!
DaPe’s Press up
When DaPe started training with Jade last November, he was new to the gym and set himself a clear goal: to complete a full press up.
His journey over the last six months has been a true marathon, not a race. Beginning with incline press-ups on a squat rack, DaPe focused on building full-body strength and endurance. With patience and trust in the process, he gradually progessed from the rack to knee press-ups and then to full-body negatives, taking the time to secure the fundamentals. His hard work paid off at the end of June when, with slight band assistance, he performed his first full press-up with excellent control and form. It has been an incredible display of dedication, and Jade is very proud of DaPe’s progress.
Dean’s running
Dean has been with Craig for the last 18 months, and when they first introduced running into their sessions, it was uncertain if he could manage it at all. Initially, Dean was completing the length of a long corridor in over 30 seconds, but he gradually improved until he was consistently hitting 18 seconds. While Craig initially believed that 18 seconds might be his standard, Dean continued to exceed all expectations. With each new best time, he pushed even further, and his most recent run was completed in a speedy 14 seconds – a fantastic improvement in just a short space of time. Great work Dean!
Sohail’s engagment
Sohail began working with Craig seven months ago as part of a wider MDT team that includes speech and language therapists, dietitians, and physiotherapits, all working together to improve his movement, fitness, and nutrition. The latter has been a vital focus, particularly given Sohail’s swallowing difficulties, which makes choosing appropriate food textures important.
While engagement was initially a challenge, the introduction of a simple WhatsApp group proved to be a turning point in his rehabilitation journey. Sohail now actively engages with the team via the group, sharing pictures of his meals and showing that he is following advice over food choices. For example, sending pictures of protein yoghurts he had bought after being advised to swap out late night biscuit snacks for them. This improvement in engagement has led to an incredible three stone weight loss, and his physiotherapist has noted significant improvements in his movement and overall mood.
Sohail is now clearly enjoying his gym sessions, often laughing and dancing throughout, and has become a more social member of our gym community, engaging with other members of our team. Craig is incredibly proud of the progress Sohail has made and is delighted to be part of his ongoing journey.