Gosberton Risegate’s Scarlet Community Music Club wins cash for Beat Fit
Members of the public will soon be able to show off their musical side while staying healthy – thanks to a new fitness initiative.
Beat Fit – which combines playing musical instruments with exercising – will be rolled out in the area after receiving funding.
Gosberton Risegate-based Scarlet Community Music Club were awarded £16,620 via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund’s GRASSroots scheme, with money distributed by Lincolnshire Community Foundation.
“It’s a double whammy. People that are into music may not be into exercise, and people into exercise may not be into music, but both can do something they enjoy while getting something else from it. It’s mutually beneficial,” said organiser Liz Lenten.
“Beat Fit is a project that is a combination of playing instruments while exercising, which I know sounds a bit random, but it’s a really fun way to stay healthy.
“I’m working with a fitness psychologist. I handle the music side and she handles the fitness side, and we work with special needs groups, mental health support to groups.
“There’s lots of benefits to music and lots of benefits to exercise. This project is really to try to open up a bit of community cohesion and promote wellbeing and being sociable.”
The funds will help the group take their unique style of fitness and music to community groups.
“It’s trying to help people who are isolated or lonely, and we’re looking at getting transport for people to access these things and we’re excited to get started,” Liz added.
“The plan is for us to go to settings that want us. In the past we’ve been to COPD groups and early years groups and mental health support groups.
“We’ve always on one off taster sessions but we’re trying to find a few groups that want to run a regular thing so people can get to know one another and enjoy long term benefits.”
Scarlett Community Music Club are also hoping to run open sessions in village halls to spread the word.
“It’s just so much fun and it’s 100% possible for anybody to take part,” Liz continued.
“When we first started delivering this project I broke my leg and had to take the course sat in a chair, which proved anybody can do it.”
