MP visits East Riding to hear about impact charity has on residents' health and wellbeing

East Riding of Yorkshire Council Leader, Councillor Anne Handley, invited Rt Hon Stuart Andrew MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to hear about the impactful work delivered by Fitmums and Friends.

Fitmums founder and Chief Executive, Sam Barlow, presented the journey of the charity, from its beginnings in the playground of a school through to now where 11 clubs operate across the East Riding involving more than 1500 people a year, in over 18,000 activities a year.

Sam Barlow said: “Our ethos is - everyone fits at Fitmums! It’s so much more than a running club and members are young and old, and any gender. Fitmums has created amazing social connections within communities in East Riding and we know from our members how it has helped people reduce social isolation, improve mental health, help people dealing with bereavement, as well as helping people with their physical health.

“It’s an honour to talk to Rt Hon Stuart Andrew MP and explain the journey of the charity, from inviting a few mums to go for a run in 2009, to becoming a charity in 2017, to what it is today with a growing number of clubs, including Ft Juniors, Together in Grief bereavement walk and yoga, The Forest Project to support children in bereavement, Menopause support and an opportunity for people to volunteer.”

East Riding of Yorkshire Council Leader, Anne Handley, said: “Fitmums is such a unique and innovative charity that continues to grow how it supports our residents. Through our public health work, we know that the key to reducing impact on NHS and adult social care services, and to enable people to live happy, healthy, connected, independent lives for longer, is to prevent, reduce and delay ill health, both physical and mental health. Fitmums provides our residents with a preventative service that improves lives. I’m delighted that Rt Hon Stuart Andrew MP has taken time to hear about, and understand, the positive impact that the charity is making to people.

“I’d encourage residents to get involved with Fitmums and Friends, whether it’s for physical activity, social connections or support around bereavement or menopause.”

Get in touch:

Visit: www.fitmums.org.uk

Email: info@fitmums.org.uk

Facebook: Fitmumsnetwork

Picture L-R: a - Cllr Anne Handley, Council Leader, Rt Hon Stuart Andrew MP, Sam Barlow, Fitmums Founder and chief executive,

b - Rt Hon Stuart Andrew MP, Sam Barlow, Fitmums Founder and chief executive, Gill Davidson, health and wellbeing strategic manager, Hannah Horth, Fitmums trustee

c - Cllr Paul West, cabinet member for environment and transport, Cllr Nick Coultish, cabinet member for culture, leisure and tourism, Vickie Hillier, Fitmums deputy chief officer, Cllr Anne Handley, Council Leader,