to our March e-newsletter. There's lots going on and as the evenings start to become lighter and weather improves, we hope more people will try out some of our sessions. We've also updated our brochure which is avaiable to view. Read on to find out more...

Due to the success of our last 'Couch to 5km' and external funding from GreaterSport, we're pleased to announce a new session:

Starting on Wednesday 22 March, 6pm-7pm at Kingsway Park Sports Centre (opposite Gordon Riggs), Turf Hill Rd, Rochdale, OL16 4AX.

The session will run for 10 weeks on Wednesdays, be free of charge and led by qualified Run Leader, Tracey Szymanek.  No booking required, just turn up. Don't worry if you think you can't run, the initiative here is to help you get started and achieve your goals. All ages and abilities welcome, beginner-friendly in a relaxed, social, environment.

We hear from Jackie on how she's benefited from activ8teme:

"Right, what can I say. I'm not very good at this kind of stuff, although I'm very pleased to share my story. I love activ8teme! It's made me feel years younger and probably helping me live longer.

The instructors; Tracey, Noreen, Laura and Gina are all amazing and should be on the stage, they're so funny as well. This makes these classes so lighthearted and enjoyable. It's easy to forget they're keep fit classes!

It's great that they're local and affordable, well, unless you want to attend them all like me! I go to HIIT, Legs, Bums and Tums, Zumba and Tea-Time-Top-to-Toe workout, all at Bowlee Park Sports Centre.

I've lost nearly 2 stone, through keeping fit, Tracey's healthy eating classes and most importantly, I've made the most fabulous friends who all make you feel special. Thank you to Sarah and activ8teme, you're truly inspiring!"

If you have a story similar to Jackie's that you can share with us, please contact Sarah on: 07976 498 629 or email sarah.shard@link4life.org

If you're looking for a cycling challenge in May 2017, get stuck into Ride Rochdale, 2 women only bike rides hosted by double Olympic gold and World Champion cyclist, Joanna Rowsell Shand MBE on Sunday 21 May.

Enjoy some excellent, hard yet rewarding cycling in a scenic area. They're not races, just simply timed events with a fantastic atmosphere that follow a specific pre-planned sign-posted course, allowing you to focus on enjoying the ride. For more information click here.

Great to see our 3 brand new sessions not only take off, but become well attended and become sustainable.

The borough's first Cardio Country and Cardio Country Basic sessions at Heywood Civic Centre have both attracted 30-50 participants per class. 

We've also set up Legs, Bums and Tums at Junction Community Centre, Middleton on Wednesdays 7.40pm-8.40pm, £2.50, an area we've not had chance to focus on until now. It's proved very popular with 25 participants at each session.

A big thanks to Public Health for working in partnership with us, enabling us to offer 15 sessions for £1 throughout the first 2 months of the year, which has attracted 340 new people to the programme as well as our existing members being able to try out new classes.

This external funding has built up participant numbers and helped to promote sustainabiliy of the sessions.

We've just received funding from GreaterSport to set up a new 'Cardio Club' session at Heywood Civic Centre, possibly starting in April on Tuesday evenings (full details yet to be confirmed).

Cardio Club will be the first ever class in the borough which is a simple, fun, dance fitness workout using glow sticks! The class will be suitable for either beginners or fitness fanatics!

If you're interested, please contact Sarah on: 07976 498 629 and we'll send you more details when we have full confirmation.