Celebrating the Gloucestershire changemakers who make the county a healthier place to be

Ten changemakers, who are making a positive impact in Gloucestershire’s communities by going above and beyond to support people to get active, are being celebrated at a special exhibition in Gloucester this July 2024.

Their portraits, along with their stories, are going on show in Eastgate Shopping Centre from Wednesday 17 July to Wednesday 31 July 2024.

Active Gloucestershire is hosting a stall on the first and last day of the showcase, to open and close the exhibition, talk about the project and about We Can Move, the Gloucestershire social movement encouraging people to get active.

Lizzie Homer, head of communications and marketing for Active Gloucestershire, said: 'We wanted to share these stories with the public to inspire them to not only get active but to celebrate what's going on in their communities.'

The finalists include Holi Courtney-Ward, founder and teacher at The He4t dance group, who runs dance classes in Tewkesbury and Evesham for all ages and abilities.

Keasha Kellam, founder of Honour Thy Woman group's wellbeing programme, will be there to talk about helping survivors of domestic abuse with activities to promote creativity, health and wellbeing.

MaryClare Faulkner, inclusive cycling lead at Goals Beyond Grass, is passionate about enabling people who would otherwise be unable to cycle, to enjoy the activity in safe, off-road environments and she'll share her expertise with visitors to the exhibition.

Yacoob Patel, volunteer coach at Rising Stars YFC, who delivers football sessions in Barton and Tredworth, has been pivotal in encouraging a diverse community of young people into trying something new and is keen to talk to as many young people as possible.

Sinéad Byrne, head instructor at Kenbu Dojo in Gloucester is featured, along with Lara Attwood and Sam Quinson, social prescribing link workers for Caring for Communities and People and NHS & Cheltenham Central Primary Care Network.

They're joined by Marion Simmonds, volunteer walk leader for Charlie's Community Support and Marguerita Mills, volunteer for the Wellbeing Garden Project for the Independence in Cheltenham.

Léla Thomas, founder and director of SOH Fit Community Fitness Sessions in Gloucester, and Aaron Davies, health and wellbeing coach at GL Communities, complete the line-up of finalists.