Building Fitness, Confidence and Friendships: Richmond Mencap Gym Sessions at The Cambrian Centre

Funded by the League of Friends of Teddington Memorial Hospital, weekly gym sessions are helping Richmond Mencap members improve their fitness, discover new abilities and enjoy the benefits of exercising together.

These sessions play an important preventative role by helping members stay active, improve their physical health and maintain their independence, potentially reducing avoidable health problems and the need for hospital visits to services such as Teddington Memorial Hospital.

For just over a year, Tuesday afternoon gym sessions at The Cambrian Centre have been making a real difference to members of Richmond Mencap. Funded by the League of Friends of Teddington Memorial Hospital, the sessions provide a welcoming, inclusive and supportive environment where people with learning disabilities can improve their physical health, build confidence and develop greater independence.

What began with four members has grown, with two more joining in September. All six participants have made excellent progress, demonstrating how accessible and appropriately supported exercise can open up new opportunities and help people thrive.

Getting stronger, fitter and more confident

Over the past year, members have steadily improved their fitness and endurance. They can now spend longer on the treadmill, exercise bike and rowing machine, with some increasing their speed and stamina along the way. Their strength has also improved as they lift heavier weights or complete more repetitions.

However, the benefits extend well beyond physical progress.

For some members, using gym equipment initially felt daunting, and they were reluctant to give it a try. Now, they attend regularly, look forward to their sessions and are discovering what they can achieve. Some have even developed the confidence to use equipment independently, with minimal supervision.

This growing sense of independence is a particularly rewarding outcome. The sessions are helping members overcome barriers, try new activities and take greater ownership of their health and wellbeing.

Exercise, enjoyment and friendship

The sessions are about much more than exercise. They offer members the chance to socialise, support one another and celebrate their achievements in a friendly group setting.

The two new participants who joined in September were warmly welcomed, and everyone is encouraged to work at their own pace and ability. Whether someone is building stamina, increasing their strength or mastering a new machine, every achievement matters.

The group also makes time for fun. Each session finishes with stretching and, of course, a few music requests!

For one member, the gym sessions are his only regular opportunity for physical activity, making his enthusiasm and growing involvement especially encouraging.

Friendships are developing beyond the gym, too. Four members travel to and from the sessions together with a Richmond Mencap staff member, giving them additional time to socialise and strengthen their connections with one another.

What our attendees say

Feedback from a recent Richmond Mencap questionnaire captures the enjoyment and positive impact of the sessions.

One attendee aid:

“Sarah the instructor is very helpful and it’s a lot of fun and enjoyment. I’ve tried machines I didn’t think I could manage. It’s a happy group.”

Another highlighted the benefits of trying different equipment:

“Doing exercise and using different machines is lots of fun. It’s made me healthier.”

And for another participant, the sessions bring happiness as well as the flexibility to exercise comfortably:

“It makes me happy. Some exercises can hurt my knee but I tell Sarah and she changes it.”

These comments highlight the importance of having a supportive instructor who understands individual needs and can adapt activities to help everyone participate safely and enjoyably.

How the League of Friends is making a difference

The League of Friends of Teddington Memorial Hospital is committed to supporting projects that improve health, wellbeing and quality of life within Teddington Memorial Hospital and the local community it serves.

Funding the Richmond Mencap gym sessions at The Cambrian Centre is one example of how the League supports opportunities that go beyond traditional hospital care. By helping make regular physical activity accessible to people with learning disabilities, the League is contributing to better physical health, increased confidence, greater independence and stronger social connections.

By promoting physical activity, improving wellbeing and supporting greater independence, these sessions help prevent health problems from developing or worsening, potentially reducing the need for hospital visits to services such as Teddington Memorial Hospital.

The progress made over the past year demonstrates the value of providing the right environment, encouragement and support. With the opportunity to exercise at their own pace, members are discovering new abilities, overcoming initial anxieties and developing a positive relationship with physical activity.

Most importantly, they are having fun, making friends and looking forward to coming back each week.

The League of Friends is pleased to support community initiatives that make a meaningful difference to people’s lives and benefit Teddington Memorial Hospital. Every project we fund helps create opportunities for people to feel healthier, more confident and more connected to their community.

To find out more about the work of the League of Friends of Teddington Memorial Hospital and how you can help us support local health and wellbeing projects, contact us