Phase one funding - £1340 - was utilised to invest in recording equipment to create online content to keep members engaged and physically active throughout the pandemic and numerous lockdowns.

Phase two funding - £5194 - was used to keep the organisation afloat throughout the constant unknown, as the recurrence of tightening and the easing restrictions did not allow for provision to pick up. As restrictions dictated that the centre was closed for large periods of time, live sessions were being recorded and made available for service users to access as and when they wanted, although online content only engaged a small percentage of service users. 

Client Feedback: As a result of a survey following interventions from Together We, clients gave the following insight and information into projects delivered as part of the Tackling Inequalities Fund:

Client 1 - “I was doing no exercise, and I had no support for my mental health. Things were difficult.”

“I am enjoying being active and have now taken up a team sport. I am more confident, and more motivated in all aspects of my life.”

“I now have more motivation with fitness and this has also helped me to be more motivated at home.”

Client 2 - “I was unconfident and was scared of what other people thought of me. I knew that I had to do something and take control of my life, but I did not know how.”

“I really like the motivation my fitness instructor gives me, she makes me feel that I can achieve my goals, she encourages me all the time, and has always made me feel very welcome in the environment in which we work together. I like coming to the sessions as this is time for myself to unwind after work, and I always finish my sessions feeling a lot happier.”

“I knew that I needed to make changes to my life to be a happier, healthier version of myself, and although I have the support from my family, Together We has been the support network that I needed to get me on my way to reaching my goals.”

“I am a lot happier now and feel motivated to keep going, I still have the support of Together We, but I feel that I am now in control of my life, and this makes me happy.”

Phase 3 - £4464

The latest amount of funding has been utilised to deliver group exercise sessions to people aged 18+ who are experiencing mental illness. Including severe and enduring mental illness such as personality disorders, bipolar etc. Sessions have been delivered in both Copeland and Allerdale at Together Fitness and Wellbeing Centre, Mirehouse Community Centre and our new location De Lucy Centre, Egremont.

Exercise and support sessions are designed to be group specific, with lower ability sessions being delivered alongside higher ability, we may also add secondary groups for those in a higher risk category, we expect to publicly advertise these sessions but additionally we will draw from our own talking therapy service therefore this project may be delivered in conjunction with other interventions and team input including the Together We Talk team.

These sessions were introduced to:

• Improve mental and physical wellbeing of people aged between 11-65+
• Improve coping strategies for those who have long and enduring mental health conditions.
• Improve access to exercise referral for mental health.
• Increase access to low intensity mental health interventions.
• Reduce the number of people needing higher level/primary care services.