TheMovement exists to support women of very low socio-economic status who have experienced an overlap of homelessness, adverse mental health and persistent exposure to severe traumatic situations, including domestic violence and sexual exploitation. It is well established that women facing this type of multiple disadvantages would significantly benefit from re-engaging with movement and exercise, but they do not do so due to lack of resources, opportunity and awareness of their specific needs within the fitness industry.
To address this issue, we train exercise professionals to provide appropriate, beneficial and life-giving, trauma informed exercise classes. We then enable and support these trauma-aware exercise professionals to volunteer weekly with our 23 partner charities across London. We also provide appropriate clothing, footwear and equipment, and we have developed a CPD course in ‘Trauma Informed Approach to Exercise Provision’ to upskill the fitness profession as a whole. Through engagement in our programmes, our participants gain greater confidence, self worth and emotional resilience, through improved physical health and wellbeing. These benefits enable participants to become more independent, impacting other areas of life such as employment and education.
Benefact's donation will enable this vital work to continue to grow, restoring many women's right to exercise.
