Suffolk Libraries free fitness activities are continuing during the summer months!
Our popular Jumpstart fitness and wellbeing programme is continuing to offer regular free library and online fitness events over the summer months.
Jumpstart is back bigger and better than ever in 2023 with additional funding from Suffolk County Council’s Public Mental Health Programme meaning the activities are running all year round.
The following sessions are taking place in July. All sessions are free but please book your place in advance:
- Pilates for all abilities at Ipswich County Library on Monday 24 July at 10.30AM
- Strength and Conditioning class at Ipswich County Library on Wednesday 26 July at 4.30PM
- Online Seated Dance for all abilities on Zoom – Thursday 27 July at 11:30AM
New online and in-library Jumpstart activities are being added all the time. For the full programme and new events, sign up to our health and wellbeing newsletter or join our Jumpstart Facebook group.
The sessions are designed to be open and accessible to anyone, regardless of age or ability and with so much on offer for children at libraries this summer the sessions are open to children who are eight and over too.
Jumpstart is funded from Suffolk County Council’s Public Mental Health Programme which aims to positively impact on inactivity levels across Suffolk, and in doing so, protect against poor mental health.
A recent survey of Jumpstart participants shows the benefits of the programme and how it is helping to keep people happier and healthier.
96% of people said they enjoyed their class and 95% said they’d do a similar class again, and 89% said taking part in Jumpstart activity made them feel empowered to make healthy choices to continue to improve their wellbeing and 80% said they felt confident to try new things.
Originally launched during lockdown the Jumpstart programme continues to receive glowing feedback on how it is helping people with their wellbeing including this case study:
“I suffer with depression and anxiety, I find meeting new people and new experiences extremely difficult. I am overweight and have always been too scared to try anything new, I always find my local library a very calming place to be so I put my brave pants on and signed up for Zumba. I really enjoyed it, so thought I would give Pilates a go too. Again, it was so friendly and enjoyable.
“For someone like me who is very shy, nervous and embarrassed by myself, you’ve given me somewhere where I feel comfortable and included and I’m doing something good for myself, within my own home where I feel safe. Money is tight for us, so honestly I really cannot thank everyone who is part of Jumpstart enough.”
Other comments include:
“It’s difficult for me to attend an evening class in person due to childcare.”
“Jumpstart has encouraged me to move because I had become very sedentary and I always feel that at least that day of the week I have done something for my health so I feel good about myself.”
