Getting into shape with funding from RBH

The dance group working out at Syke Methodist Church

Funding from RBH’s ground-breaking Our Choice scheme is helping a group of women improve their fitness while making new friends and having lots of fun.

Nicky Iginla, a Syke resident, made a successful bid for Our Choice funding to set up health and wellbeing activities for women in the neighbourhood.

The money has paid for weekly Zumba dance classes at Syke Methodist Church in the build-up to Christmas.

With expert tuition on-hand the group have been getting into shape for the festive season as they workout energetically to the Latin-infused choreography.

Among those who have been enjoying the fitness and social aspects of the Zumba classes is Karen Alexandridis.

Karen said: “It’s been fantastic. There are lots of people from different cultures and of different ages who have been coming along and enjoying themselves.

“I’ve made new friends and we have a teacher who is very enthusiastic and very encouraging.”

Nabila Raja, who teaches the group, said: “I’ve been impressed by how keen the group are. They are also very friendly which creates a good atmosphere.”

Our Choice, which won a National Housing Federation Community Impact Award in 2014, gives residents in RBH communities the chance to decide spending priorities by enabling them to vote for the projects they want to go ahead and then deliver the successful activities.

RBH Community Partnership Worker Nasreen Akhtar said: “As a mutual society we are committed to empowering residents to make decisions about their communities.

“The Zumba classes are a great example of how people are putting our values into practice to bring real benefits for themselves and others.”