An East Riding mum who launched a fitness group which has helped hundreds of adults and children to take up running and walking while having fun has been nominated for a national public health hero award.
Sam Barlow, founder of Fitmums and Friends, has been nominated for a Department of Health Recognition Award by East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s public health team. The awards will be presented at the House of Commons on March 3.
Sam launched Fitmums and Friends five years ago. At the time she was a full-time working mum who invited other mums at her child’s school to meet up to go for a run, with the aim of keeping fit and making new friends.
More people started to come along and five years later Fitmums and Friends is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit social enterprise, offering running, fitness walks, buggy sessions and children’s athletics sessions.
The project has over 400 members – including dads, grandparents and friends as well as mums – and 68 volunteers have trained to be run leaders and athletics coaches.
Sam was also successful in securing funding from Comic Relief to develop specific support for mums with post-natal depression.
Fitmums and Friends is supported by the council’s public health service. It uses a unique coaching technique to ensure that everyone feels supported and encouraged to keep going, with no-one left behind.
The project was launched in Cottingham in 2009 but now also includes successful groups in Beverley, Hedon and east Hull. Junior sessions for children were launched in Beverley last year, teaching children to run, throw and jump in a friendly and supportive environment, whatever their level of fitness. A special session for young people aged from 10 to teens is also held at St Mary’s College.
Fundraising for charity is an important focus for the network, and as a result a cycle squad and a choir are now also part of Fitmums and Friends.
Dawn Branton, public health lead for the council: said the success of the project had only been possible due to the endless hours that Sam had put into the scheme voluntarily.
“Sam’s attention to detail and passion for supporting others is what sets Fitmums and Friends apart from any other group. For many members it has literally changed their life,” she said.
Councillor Jonathan Owen, chairman of the East Riding health and wellbeing board, said: “Taking part in physical activity, or going back to it after a long time away from it, is not always easy. Sam provides a support network to overcome this problem while making participating fun and enjoyable. Her enthusiasm and energy is inspiring!”
Sam says she is honoured to have been nominated for the award. “As every volunteer will tell you, recognition for what you do is never what you seek,” she said.
“My passion is for helping men, women and children to feel good about themselves, it gives me the biggest buzz. This award recognises many more people than me – Fitmums and Friends is one big team effort!”
