The cost of living has intensified Britain’s homelessness crisis. Personal trainer Sarah Ryder provides free fitness classes – and an invaluable hour of escapism – to those who want them
THE CHANGE MAKERS
On any given night in England, more than 2,400 people sleep rough, with men six times as likely as women to live on the streets. Afurther 15,000 live in hostels or supported accommodation, with thousands more in unstable, temporary housing.
Reduced opportunity to exercise might not seem like an obvious concern among this group. But training is about a lot more than flexing your muscles: physical activity can be transformative for both mental and physical wellbeing, with lack of gym access – not to mention sports kit and hot showers – a barrier to better health and wellness.
Apersonal trainer, Sarah Ryder runs rooftop gym Bear Fitness in London’s Victoria, which just happens to be situated above the offices of The Passage, an organisation that works to support those experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Those supported by The
Passage can access tools such as counselling, healthcare services and employment advice, as well as housing options. ‘But there was no physical outlet for them,’ Ryder says. So, why not start something?
After securing funding from the local council, she launched her fitness programme at The Passage in May, taking groups of around 15 people through body-weight workouts two days a week.
Attendees range from those in their late teens up to guys in their seventies. Some ‘move fantastically well and are really fit’, says Ryder; others have a history of illness or drug misuse. One client is a former MMA fighter; another has a tremor that makes executing some movements difficult. ‘But he hasn’t missed a class yet,’ she says. Workouts are scaled to cater to everyone.
