Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership (SASP)’s Healthy Happy Holidays initiative is set to return for the 2023 school winter break as part of the Government’s Holiday, Activity and Food programme. Teaming up with Somerset Council, SASP will deliver a program of activities designed to help tackle inequalities in holiday hunger, physical inactivity, and social isolation for children eligible for Free School Meals.

Young people aged 5-16 are eligible for 4 days of activities between Monday 18 December to Thursday 21 December, with bookings opening on Wednesday 29 November. To book activities, parents and carers will need to have their unique booking code provided by their child’s school or referrer. This provision is for children on benefits related free school meals.

For more information and to find out how to book, visit the SASP website here.

Come and enjoy a gentle thorough workout in a friendly and supportive environment.
Suitable and beneficial for all.
Contact Carol.
Speedwell Hall, Abbey Street, Crewkerne
£30 for 6 sessions Wednesday 10-11:15 am
Bring an exercise mat & scarf.

A free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate – it’s up to you!

Free but please register before you first come along. Find out more about parkrun here.

Saturdays at 9am (arrive 10 minutes early).

Frogmary Green Farm, West Street, South Petherton, TA13 5DJ.

To improve strength and balance, helping to keep you steady on your feet and avoid falls. Email or call for details of class.

Fun, fairly active music class aimed at improving strength, balance and co-ordination. Mondays 10.30am. Call Age UK on 01823 345614 for more details.

Yeovil Rivers Community Trust is a charity specialising in the restoration, preservation and sustainability of the rivers and streams in and around Yeovil. 

Volunteers are central to our work and we encourage the local community to get involved in our projects improving and restoring rivers, streams and ponds and the environment around them. Our aim is to create improved habitat for local wildlife and lovely spaces which can be enjoyed by the whole community, whether it is just sitting admiring the view or using them for recreational or educational purposes. 

During the pandemic, we have seen how engaging with nature and getting out into the Great Outdoors can have a positive impact on our mental health and wellbeing.   We offer a range of volunteering opportunities and outdoor activities which include wildlife habitat enhancements, surveys, litter picking, wild flower planting, invasive plant species clearing, as well as organised nature trails, education events, and a whole lot more.  

Activities are available for everyone, irrespective of age, gender, ability, and it is a great way to get outside, meet people, to learn new skills/hobbies and to make a difference to our countryside. Everyone is welcome and we look forward to seeing you at one of our events.  

For further details please contact Lorne Thomson.

2nd Thursday of each month. Somerton Sports Club. Call Mo Fletcher 01458 274631.

To improve strength and balance, helping to keep you steady on your feet and avoid falls. Starts June. Email michelle.purnell@ageuk.org.uk or call for details of the class.

This adapted cycling opportunity allows people to enjoy moving at home using pedal exercisers and a choice of ten to thirty minute bike rides that have been filmed across Somerset to bring it to life!

Ideal for older adults or those living with long term health conditions, Love to Pedal encourages people to move more in an accessible, safe and enjoyable way. Chair cycling has many health benefits whilst being an effective form of low impact exercise and therefore more gentle on the joints. This makes it a really good choice for people living with osteoarthritis or any condition where weight bearing may be difficult. Pedal exercisers can also improve cardiovascular fitness, strengthen the muscles that help us to sit to stand and use the stairs effectively, increase general mobility, support weight management and improve circulation and related conditions.

SASP is working with a number of partners across Somerset to reach those most impacted by Covid-19 to offer the Love to Pedal at home opportunity. Partner organisations include Primary Care Networks (PCNs) who host Health Coaches supporting people one to one and in groups across Somerset, Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy, the Stroke Service, Village Agents, Occupational Therapy at Musgrove Park Hospital and Integrated Rehabilitation Therapy teams.

A number of pedal exercisers are available for you or a family member to loan for six weeks alongside our virtual bike rides. Contact your Practice’s Health Coach or one of the partners above to register your interest.

This is a women’s only (16+) Tae Kwon Do course instructed by Nina Anderson. It is a 6-week beginners’ course, so no experience is necessary.  The first session is free but each one after that is £3 per person.

The 45-minute-long sessions are held @The Unit, 22 Leach Road, Chard TA20 1FA. You don’t need anything else other than some water and some comfortable clothes to move in.

Nina is a fantastic instructor and will look after you the whole way.

To sign up, click HERE.

Starting Monday 4th October 2021

A class for all abilities aiming to strengthen the body and improve flexibility, general fitness, and wellbeing, while helping to develop control and endurance for the entire body. Pilates puts emphasis on alignment, breathing, developing a strong core (the muscles of the abdomen, low back, and hips), and improving coordination and balance.

Mondays 2:30pm – 3:30pm – £4.00 Members / £6.00 Non-Members . Booking essential.

Suitable for all ages, abilities, and fitness. A fusion of different dance & aerobics to give you a fun and enjoyable workout.
Every Tuesday 19:00 – 20:00 – £5.00 per session . Booking essential.

Gentle Yoga – suitable for beginners or those wanting to go at a slower pace.
Thursdays 9:15 – 10:30am

Mixed Ability – a general class, friendly, relaxed and suitable for all, including those new to yoga or with previous experience.
Thursdays 10:45 – 12:00am

Session fee for each – £5.50 (Henhayes members) £7.50 (non-members). Booking essential.

Gentle but potent exercise and a calm mind – relax, breate & move. Open to all ages and abilities, including complete beginners.

Tuesdays 2:30-4pm. £7 session fee. Henhayes Centre. Booking essential.

No matter how much you do, physical activity is good for your body and mind. Adults should aim to be active every day. Some is good – more is better still.

A daily brisk walk can boost your energy, lift your mood and make everyday activities easier.

Try these tools, tips and special offers to move more every day.

Our free Active Befriending ’Walk and Talk’ service aims to support older people who would like to benefit from fresh air and being more active but don’t feel very confident about going out by themselves.

This is a new Befriending service which sits alongside our Befriending and our Friendly Phone Calls services to offer a more active alternative for those who want it.  The service is free, has been devised and supported by Age UK Somerset, Somerset Activity & Sports Partnership (SASP) and Somerset County Council.

What does the Active Befriending service offer?
After clients have registered they will be matched with a suitable volunteer (depending of course on availability in that area).  Then over an initial 8 week period, clients will be called for by the volunteer each week, who will then take them out for a short walk starting from (and returning to) the client’s home.

SASP have some great ideas and advice on staying active and healthy during the pandemic. There are ideas for families and children, mums & babies, adults, older people & those with long term conditions, adapted activities for people with disabilities and suggestions for getting outdoors.

MIND in Somerset are offering Walking and Talking Groups for young people aged 11-18 in Yeovil, Langport, and Chard.
The socially distanced walks give the chance to meet with others who may be experiencing similar issues in a safe, friendly and non-judgemental environment. 
To join, complete our self-referral form here and choose the Youth Matters option. 

Create Calm CIC offers Yoga and Mindfulness for all age groups and all levels of experience on a private basis and in community centres. Each lesson is designed for the age group and combines Subtle Yoga (specifically for the nervous system), Hatha Yoga, Reflection, Mindfulness, Meditation and Relaxation.

The benefits of yoga and mindfulness include clarity of thinking, emotional wellbeing, gentle exercise for the body and feelings of calm throughout your life generally. To feel more calm yourself, or if you wish more calm for your child, a relative or friend please be in touch. Create Calm CIC is a Community Interest Company so 30% of your fee goes to a fund to buy yoga mats and meditation cushions for the people in your community. And no-one is turned away for lack of funds. Classes are just £6 each.

Somerset Nature Connections project aims to tackle some of the barriers that prevent people experiencing the health and wellbeing benefits of Somerset’s spectacular natural environment. Somerset Nature Connections will help people to access these natural spaces, with a focus on supporting mental wellbeing and physical activity.

Nature Connection and wellbeing courses will be running in Mendip, Quantocks and Blackdown AONB areas. During the courses we will explore the Five Pathways to Nature Connectedness (contact, beauty, emotion, compassion and meaning). You will learn self-care techniques including nature-based mindfulness, sit spots and gratitude, as well as experiencing activities such as natural craft, outdoor cooking, bushcraft and helping out with a variety of conservation tasks.

These courses are for you if you are feeling isolated and/or experiencing mild to moderate depression, low mood, anxiety or stress.

The Somerset Nature Connections project is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund and is a partnership project with the Somerset Wildlife Trust, Mendip Hills, Quantock Hills and Blackdown Hills AONBs. The courses are free of charge to participants.

Details of upcoming courses will be advertised on the webpage below. For more info, email us.

Since 1996 Carymoor has transformed 100 acres of capped landfill into a thriving nature reserve. Our nature reserve is the perfect place to connect with nature, learn new skills and to meet people. We use traditional conservation techniques to manage our reserve which help to boost physical and mental health, and to support wildlife on site.

Our visitor centre is surrounded by an orchard, wildflower and sensory gardens, and a vegetable garden, and our nature reserve has a mosaic of different habitats, including meadows, woodland and wetland.

At our club sessions our main aim is to ensure that we can offer something for everyone, regardless of ability or prior running experience. We strive to make these sessions as enjoyable and sociable as possible, so please do come along and try it out for yourself! You are welcome to come along for up to 4 free taster sessions before becoming a Member. We offer a Couch to 5K programme twice a year.

See our website for more details.

Every Wednesday, arrive from 6:45pm, for a 7pm start.

Archie Gooch Pavilion, Brittens Field, The Rec, Ilminster TA19 9FE.

If you want to improve your confidence, meet new people, or would like to be able to swim confidently, whether a beginners or would like to be a stronger, more confident swimmer, these classes are for you.

We have a total of 10 adult swim development classes each week within our timetable that you would be able to attend, to help with your personal swim journey. All classes are teacher led and we offer three levels of ability so we have a lesson for everyone.

Any new swimmers joining our program to start with a “dip your toe in” session so we can assess your swimming, work out your personal goals and go from there.

Dip Your Toe In – Beginner
Monday: 10am-11am
Wednesday: 2pm-3pm
Friday: 11am-12pm & women only 2pm-3pm
Sunday: 7pm-8pm

Classes are FREE to LED members as they as included within all of the membership options (starting at £28/month for adults), if you are not a member of LED, the cost is £6 per class. There is a 25% discount for 60+ age group and members of the Passport To leisure scheme, which is run through SSDC, bringing the price down to £4.80.

Contact Emilie Woan below for details.

Start to Cycle Yeovil is a friendly social cycling group for all cyclists in and near Yeovil, Somerset. We want to help people cycle more and ride with others. Some members are novices, some are getting back into it. Hybrids, Mountain Bikes, Road bikes, Electric bikes – all are welcome.

We have shorter rides of 7-9 miles around the town, using cycle paths, and longer rides of up to 20 miles into the countryside. We ride as a group and never leave anyone behind!

Find us on Facebook, or email us for more info and upcoming rides.

A range of activities, including physical activity & healthy eating opportunities for all ages and abilities. This will range from using and promoting a range of national campaigns and web based information to working with partner organisations/services in particular Somerset communities to develop existing skills to enhance the health promotion messages.

Inclusive dance classes for people with Learning Disabilities and their carers or support workers. £3 per session (free for carers).

Every Thursday from 7pm – 8pm.

Contact Matthew England for more information.

Offering sport activities for Women and Girls 16+ in South Somerset: badminton, tennis, netball, running, hockey, exercise classes and cycling!

See Facebook page for details of groups and classes, or contact SSDC Healthy Lifestyles team by phone or email.

Monthly walks, 4 miles and 8 miles approximately, coach to destination. All ages welcome – No dogs.

Contact Mrs. Bagg for more details.

Meet at 27 Helmstedt Way, Chard, TA20 1DQ.

Active Age Pioga is performed on chairs . We use big and small bands to help with posture correction and, if you wish, to increase the difficulty level of exercises.

It’s suitable for all abilities and is the perfect setting for making new friends as well as staying healthy, active and free from muscular aches and pains.

Henhayes Centre Crewkerne 9.30am – 10.30am – £5 per class

New class starting 26th March. Sessions are suitable for wheelchair users and less able individuals.

Monday evenings 6:30 to 7:30pm. St James Resource Centre, Yeovil BA21 3RL.

Cost £6 per session.

Contact Debbie at InYoga on 07929 512442.

Every Tuesday from 2pm – 3pm at the Methodist Church Hall.

Contact Jo Goldie for more details.

SASP is dedicated to increasing the health and happiness of residents in Somerset through physical activity and sport.
We inspire and enable positive life choices through sport and physical activity and we do this by:

Providing accessible opportunities locally for all ages and abilities.
Supporting clubs, communities, schools and the workforce to embrace physical activity.
Bringing together organisations and partners to plan and create a better environment for change.

The group meets on Tuesdays at 6.30pm at the Bucklers Mead Sports Centre.

Zumba Gold is a low impact exercise suitable for beginners, over 50’s or those new to exercise.  Contact Debbie Knight for more information and the timetable. Meets at Odcombe village hall, Old Rd, Odcombe, Yeovil BA22 8XP on Fridays 10am

Revitalise promotes Somerset based physical activity sessions which are delivered by qualified staff making them particularly suitable for those living with cancer and beyond. They are open to anyone so you can also go along with friends or family.

Being active has a significant impact on wellbeing when living with cancer. It can prevent and manage some effects of treatment. It helps you take back some control of your life.

Falls are common in people aged over 65 years and older and are the leading cause of injury, and subsequently, can lead to impaired function, loss of confidence, isolation and a loss of independence. Strength, flexibility, balance and reaction times are considered the most readily modifiable risk factors for falls.

The Stay Strong Stay Steady exercise programme is designed specifically to prevent falls, consisting of leg muscle strengthening, balance retraining exercises and a walking plan.

Trained and qualified Instructors are providing classes at;
Archie Gooch Pavilion, Ilminster – Wednesday pm
Chard Guildhall, Chard – Monday am
Crewkerne – Coming Soon
Holy Trinity Community Centre, Yeovil – Tuesday pm
Martock Parish Hall, Martock – Coming Soon
Ridgway Hall, Langport – Wednesday am
Somerton Parish Rooms, Somerton – Thursday am
Methodist Church, South Petherton – Wednesday pm
St Peters Community Centre, Yeovil – Thursday am

The classes run once a week and the cost is £4.00.

The classes are aimed at people who; have a low risk of falling; may experience a fear of falling; feel unstable; have a history of falls (which has been investigated); have low bone density; a family history of osteoporotic fracture; and those who wish to increase muscle strength, balance and confidence. To participate in a class you will be required to complete a questionnaire/referral prior to attending, which will either need to be signed off by a health professional or send to us and we may be able to arrange this ourselves.

For further information and a form please contact Age UK.

A fun session of chair based exercise and music to help improve flexibility, boost confidence, and promote overall well-being.

Every Monday from 1-1.30. Free of charge but generally reserved for patients of Millbrook Surgery due to space.

South Somerset’s Health Walks Scheme is run by SSDC’s Healthy Lifestyles Team and is an accredited Walking for Health Initiative. Our Health Walks are led by trained Health Walk Leaders and are a great way of getting exercise and meeting people.  From beginners to challenging walks there are walks suitable for everyone.

Why not take a health walk and enjoy the beautiful South Somerset countryside? You could make new friends, relieve stress and benefit your health. Walking is simple, free and one of the easiest ways to get more active, lose weight and become healthier. It’s underrated as a form of exercise but walking is ideal for people of all ages and fitness levels who want to be more active.

Regular walking has been shown to reduce the risk of chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, asthma, stroke and some cancers.

To see where Health Walks take place around South Somerset, please follow the link to the SSDC website for more details.

A place to come and chat and meet new people. We provide a range of activities which include; Quizzes, games, crosswords, trivia and puzzles, visiting speakers, painting, flower arranging and crafts, knitting, poetry and short story sessions. There is also Flexercise and indoor activity with Music and singing, calligraphy, Computer skills, and Wii games (Bowling, basket ball and table tennis).

Every Wednesday from 10am to 3pm.  Contact Rachel Follett for more information.

Local ‘get together’ including lunch. A range of activities provided at this group which include flexercise, quiz activities and speakers. Every Thursday from 10am – 3pm.

The best time to ‘drop in’ to find out more, is in the morning between 10 and 12am for tea or coffee. This is a friendly and sociable group who enjoy meeting up to talk, share their interests, and have a meal together.

Contact Caroline Bennett for more information.

A chair-based exercise/physio session for all abilities, full of encouragement and positivity. Aimed at those recovering from health problems, suffering mobility issues, unable to move certain limbs or who are not as active as they once were.

Session fee £3.50 (Henhayes members) £4 (non-members). Booking essential.

Every Monday & Thursday 9:30 – 10:30

Afternoon tea dance held at Chardstock Commemorative Hall every Wednesday afternoon between 2pm – 4.30pm.

Tea and biscuits provided.

An afternoon of sequence and ballroom dancing open to non-members and beginners.

Location: Chardstock Commemorative Hall, Chardstock, Devon EX13 7BJ
Contact: Stephen Moore

Exercise Classes for Over 50’s 

Ageing Well is a National programme managed by Age UK and supported by Somerset County Council. The service promotes physical activity for mental and physical health and wellbeing – “adding years to life, adding life to years” – and organises activities and sessions throughout Somerset.

Check out the fantastic range of activities via the link below.

A slightly more energetic exercise class for the over 55’s.

Session fee £3.50 (Henhayes members) £4.50 (non-members). Booking essential.

Fridays from 9:30 – 10:30am.

Sport50 offers anyone over the age of 50 the opportunity to try a wide range of adapted sports which can include badminton, short tennis, boccia, seated volleyball, croquet and new age kurling.

Sport50 has clubs in: Ash, Bruton, Crewkerne, East Coker, Mudford, Somerton, Tatworth, and West Coker. Please get in contact with Catherine Devonshire for specific venues, days and times.

Yoga combines breathing, relaxation and physical exercises to balance the mind. It also helps to improve flexibility and can aid posture by teaching relaxation of the neck, shoulders and back. It will help you to feel less stressed and will help with your flexibility and co-ordination.

The instructor can adapt the postures for either the floor or chair to suit individual needs and abilities. No previous experience is required nor do you have to be fit already as the stretches are gentle and involve posture and breathing.

Meets at the Methodist Church Hall, every Wednesday from 2.15pm – 3.15pm. Please contact for more details.

Specialising in dance and mental health.  Run groups with local communities. Contact Viv Gordon for more information.

Squats & Tots is an indoor postnatal exercise class for all levels of fitness where you do need to stress about childcare. It is adapted for new Mums to work on regaining muscle and strength lost during pregnancy and also for Mums that are just looking to join a fun group to move their bodies, get fit, lose fat and meet others.

Mondays 9.30 – 10.30am

Memorial Hall, Wincanton.

Yeovil Town Road Running Club’s Beginner Group meets every club night, Tuesdays at 6.15pm. Meet at Yeovil Town Football Club (or at Goldenstones Leisure Centre if Yeovil Town are playing at home). Run leaders take out various groups at distances and pace to suit all members. No-one gets left behind. Get in contact for more details.

Football without the running. Great exercise for older people or those with a disability or condition. Open to men and women of all ages. Meets on Tuesdays, and has two sessions available, 5-6pm and 6-7pm. Meets at Bucklers Mead Sports Centre.

A Tai Chi class specifically for people with Parkinson’s disease, to help with balance and muscle strength. This is a low-impact exercise combining deep breathing and relaxation with slow and gentle movements.

People with similar symptoms as Parkinsons can join the group too but please contact the local Wincanton Parkinsons Society first – Jennifer 01963 33837.

Monday, 12.30pm – 1.30pm

Veronica Room at The Balsam Centre, Wincanton.

£2 per session

Led by Lin Forrester.

Later Life Training have produced some home exercise booklets for people to print out.

These booklets have been designed to be used by LLT qualified instructors with their clients to promote home exercise between group sessions as we know that regular exercise (at least 3 times a week) makes a difference to the speed of positive outcomes.

See disclaimer at end of booklets.

Created so that people know where to find ‘accessible’ health information.  ‘Accessible’ information is information that uses easy words with pictures covering food and exercise; informative health videos and useful health advice. There are over 500 leaflets on Easyhealth made by many different organisations.  You can print off nearly all the leaflets straight away.

Exercise and information during and after your cancer treatment at Yeovil District Hospital.