Newbury CrossFit and West Berkshire Muslim Centre’s outreach fitness classes aim to integrate communities
A new weekly fitness class has been established in the district in a bid to encourage those of diverse backgrounds to get out and get fit.
The West Berkshire Muslim Centre (WBMC) has recently started CrossFit sessions for both men and women courtesy of Newbury CrossFit whereby individuals from all backgrounds and faiths can get out into the community.
The sessions, catered towards men, have been coached by instructor Grant Dedden.
Mr Dedden said: “Coaching the outreach class has been great fun and a pleasure. The willingness to learn the importance of health and fitness from the guy's taking part has been really impressive.
“We had a couple of goals when starting the outreach sessions. One, to help improve the fitness of the wider community, and two to help integrate different religions and communities.”
He added: “Both objectives have been achieved with great success and we look forward to working together in the future.”
As well as building relationships between individuals from different minority ethnic nationalities, the West Berkshire Muslim Centre says it aims to deliver as many varied community services and activities as it can for the wider community.
The sessions have also been a bid to include recent arrivals from refugee and asylum seeker groups who may be feeling loneliness and exclusion – whether that be from lack of confidence, isolation in temporary accommodation or social apprehension in approaching their new community.
The centre aims to combat those feelings by helping to foster a better community that contributes positively to their wider engagement across West Berkshire.
Youth volunteer Bilal Zahid said: “The weekly fitness sessions have been a really great way to meet new friends and build new relationships.
“I love how we are slowly taught new techniques and feel comfortable.”
He went on: “There has been a very wide age range attending these sessions so I can definitely see how these are tailored for all age groups and abilities. It has truly been a great experience.”
The sessions have been funded by West Berkshire's ‘Get Active Fund’ which is geared to promoting activity post pandemic.
Participant Kareem Sharawi said: “I am glad that finally I am able to practice a sport that is close to my heart, yet doesn't break the bank at all and fits nicely in my very busy calendar.
“Newbury Crossfit has amazing coaches who get the best out of you each session. It is a safe environment with a good company to team up with, and even though it hasn't been that long since I started, I already feel fit.”
The sessions have been aimed at those who are known not to partake in extracurricular activities and so far the demand and uptake with the target group has been a success.
Participant Sameer thanked West Berkshire Muslim Centre for its “great effort” and said: “I love and enjoy the weekly fitness sessions. It helps me to rejuvenate after work, meet various community members from diverse backgrounds and also make new friends.
“It assists in bonding the community together in this digital world where people seldom meet.”
