Always on
This project successfully funded on 11th September 2025, you can still support them with a donation.
Help Us Build Autism-Friendly Fitness Spaces
Romsey, Hampshire, United Kingdom
Aim
Breaking barriers for autistic people in gyms – we're creating inclusive fitness spaces across the UK. Help us grow!
Who Are We?
Welcome to Strong Path CIC – a safe space dedicated to creating inclusive, empowering fitness environments for the autistic community.
Founded by James Dewar-Haggart, a fitness professional with over 15 years of experience, Strong Path exists to break down the barriers that have excluded too many for too long. We don’t just include autistic individuals — we prioritise them.
In the last 11 months, we’ve:
- Run workshops with Autism Hampshire across three cities
- Delivered health workshops to every year at Oak Lodge Special School
- Spoken at the One Romsey Inclusive Festival
- Trained two other gyms to provide our specialist services
- And proudly been named Hampshire Chronicle's Gym of the Year 2025
From our dual sensory gym to pioneering training and research partnerships, we’re running projects with one goal: to create long-term change in how fitness is delivered and experienced across the UK.
From our dual sensory gym to pioneering training and research partnerships, we’re running projects with one goal: to create long-term change in how fitness is delivered and experienced across the UK.
Why Are We Crowdfunding?
So far, we’ve helped individuals live with more confidence, dignity, and joy in a world that too often ignores their needs.
Now, with your support, we can go even further.
Your Support Will Help Us:
💪 Fund our Dual Sensory Gym, a calming space designed specifically for autistic individuals with sensory sensitivities
🎓 Co-design a national coaching qualification with strategic partners - the UK's first CIMSPA-accredited course to qualify sports coaches to be able to work with autistic individuals.
🤝 Support individuals facing financial hardship, making strength and wellbeing accessible regardless of income
🏋️ Expand to two new gyms, bringing Strong Path services to more people across the country
🔬 Contribute to vital research with The University of Bath, measuring the mental and physical health impacts of our model.
Why This Matters
Autistic individuals face unique challenges that mainstream fitness rarely accommodates:
➤ Cardiovascular Health:
Autistic adults are at higher risk of heart disease and stroke, partly due to disrupted sleep, poor diet, and limited access to exercise.
➤ BMI & Nutrition:
Autistic people are more likely to be underweight or obese - not just due to lifestyle factors, but because of sensory differences and digestive issues.
➤ Mental Health:
Anxiety, depression, and disordered eating are far more common in the autistic community. Movement, routine, and supportive coaching can make a huge difference.
➤ Sleep:
Sleep disturbances are widespread among autistic individuals, further impacting physical and mental health - structured physical activity can help improve this.
Join Us
By supporting this campaign, you're not just funding equipment or coaching - you're investing in equality, health, and hope.
Let’s build a stronger path: together.
How we’ll spend the money raised
£5,000 - Open Access
- Subsidised sessions for individuals and families facing financial hardship
- Provide low-cost or free access to training for autistic people most in need
- Cover basic equipment upgrades to support sensory-safe training
£10,000 - Expand Our Sensory Gym
- Enhance our Dual Sensory Gym with specialist equipment and environmental adaptations
- Improve accessibility features (e.g. adjustable lighting, soundproofing, visual supports)
- Offer more quiet-hour slots and small-group coaching
£40,000+ - Train Coaches, Expand Nationwide
- Co-design and launch our CIMSPA-accredited coaching qualification with the help of strategic partners.
- Train fitness professionals across the UK to deliver Strong Path services
- Provide ongoing mentoring and support for newly qualified coaches
- Supply sensory-friendly equipment, signage, and support materials
- Support setup costs and ensure consistent delivery of the Strong Path approach
How you can play your part
There are four simple ways to help us reach our target, and make this project a reality.
1. Make a pledge. Don’t delay if you’re going to support us because momentum is key to our success!
2. Spread the word. Share our project on your social media pages and tell the world to get behind us! The more people we reach, the more support we will get.
3. Offer rewards. Get involved if you are a local business by donating things we can offer to our supporters. We will give you a shout out!
4. Fundraise for us. If you want to run your own fundraiser – maybe a sponsored activity or similar – use the 'contact project' button at the top of our page to let us know. Setting up your own page only takes a few minutes and you won’t need any bank details. Just a fun idea!
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made