to our September e-newsletter. We hope you all had a good summer and are proud of Team GB's success at Rio 2016. In this edition, we tell you about our upcoming 3rd Birthday Party, our new brochure which includes 13 new sessions and a few more stories. Read on to find out more....

Come down and join us on Friday 30 September 2016, 6pm-9pm at Heywood Civic Centre and help us celebrate our 3rd activ8teme Birthday Party. Last year's party was a huge success, lets make this year's even better!

It's a great chance to find out more about our new programme and our plans for the future, as well as socialiasing with our activ8teme instructors and new friends you may have made along the way.

There will be taster sessions which you can either watch or join in with plus refreshments, free drink on arrival, activ8teme quiz, charity raffle and lots more entertainment.

Tickets cost £3 and are available from Heywood Civic Centre, Bowlee Park Sports Centre and community instructors. You can also reserve your tickets by contacting Sarah Shard on: 07976 498 629 or sarah.shard@link4life.org. Please let us know asap for catering purposes.

To view our short video from last year's event, please click here. We hope you can make this special evening and look forward to seeing you on 30th September.

This month we hear from our activ8teme instructor, Tracey who has lost 2 stone in weight and made lifestyle changes which have not only motivated herself, but inspired the participants at her classes as well:

"I've been struggling with my weight for a long time and as an instructor, I wanted to show people that you can lose weight by combining exercise and a healthy lifestyle. 

I started my journey again in January with a personal trainer. I found it extremely hard but I knuckled down and went with it.  I've lost nearly 2 stones and about 30 inches off my whole body. I'm so happy for the first time in my life with the way I look and the way I feel, I can't tell you how fantastic I feel.  I had to start thinking from a different angle so I went to see a counsellor who has helped me to overcome my problems and deal with my past. 

With all of this, my change was bound to happen this year. I've run two 10km's and done personal bests on both occasions, something which I never dreamed would have happened. I've been leading on the new Couch to 5km groups and am about to go on a Run Leaders course. I believe that if you feel good on the inside, you look good on the outside."

What a great Summer it was for Team GB at Rio 2016! Not only did they win 67 medals (including 27 Gold), they finished 2nd in the medal table.

activ8teme Co-ordinator, Sarah Shard was lucky enough to go to Rio for a holiday and even got to meet some of the stars.

Sarah said, "Rio 2016 was such a special time for British sport. Team GB did us so proud, which just demonstrates what the National Lottery and Sport England funding has done over the past few years.

The Games were so well organised and the local people were lovely. I was also lucky enough to get on TV a few times and meet some of the stars including Clare Balding, Sir Steve Redgrave and both the Gymnastic and Boxing teams, to name just a few.  I've also been enjoying watching the Paralympics over the last few days."

If you were inspired by the Olympics and would like to try a new sport or fitness session, please contact Sarah on: 07976 498 629 to find out more about what is happening in your local area.

Our 'Couch to 5km' group which was set up at Demesne Community Association in Middleton proved very popular with over 40 people attending. People who thought they couldn't run before came along, with some participants introducing their family members.

The group has been a huge success with each individual having their own aim from being able to run for the first time to training for a running event. Some of the group are happy to walk it and have gone on to set up their own walking group independently twice a week.

Pam Wilson who came to the group said, "Before I came to the group, I thought I couldn't run.  Now I've learnt to run.  I can now run 5km and will be going on a course to become a Run Leader and training to do a 10km run."

We are looking at setting some more Couch to 5km groups in the near future. If you are interested in finding out more, please contact Sarah on: 07976 498 629.

A NEW Cardio workout called 'Tea Time Top-to-Toe Workout' is starting at Bowlee Park Sports Centre on Thursday 22 September, 5.30pm-6.30pm. The class will be taken by Gina Smith and will be 50p for the first 6 weeks.  Parents can also bring their children aged 8-15 to use the Shokk Gym for the same price during this period.

The workout will combine cardio and strength training using various body and free weights. It will help to burn fat, increase strength and endurance levels. No need to book, just turn up. Hope to see you there!

We are working in partnership with Marland Golf Course to offer some exciting options to play Golf including:

• £2 drop in sessions
• 9 holes of Golf and club hire on Monday and Wednesday mornings
• 7 week course with coaching from a Golf Professional
• Pay for 8 rounds and get the next one free

For more information, please contact Marland Golf Course on: 01706 649 801.