A LEYTONSTONE woman has become one of the first people to take part in a ground-breaking free course which trains disabled people to become fitness instructors.
Fran Brown, 26, is one of nine people to secure a Level 2 Gym Instructor qualification after completing the 'Instructability' pilot project.
Organisers say the course aims to combat the “under-representation and prejudice” facing the disabled in the health and fitness industry, which discourages people from attending facilities like gyms.
Ms Brown, of Fairlop Road, uses a wheelchair and said she is frequently frustrated by the lack of facilities for people with mobility problems.
She added: “I often feel self conscious in the gym environment, and this isn’t helped in many gyms which don’t have the correct equipment or staff who are willing to help.
"Hopefully by increasing the numbers of people working in the sector who have a disability, it will send a positive signal to people in the same boat who may be put off using a gym.”
The project is run by the YMCA and charity Aspire. It has now secured funding to expand and is appealing for other disabled residents to sign up.
Email tasha.webster@aspire.org.uk for more information.
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