The Soma Space - Movement For Mental Health

The Soma Space is a collaboration between trauma-informed personal trainer Jo Hazell-Watkins and psychotherapist & fitness instructor Kevin Braddock. 

We run regular Movement For Mental Health group sessions where we take participants through workouts including strength training, boxercise, cardiovascular exercise and Tai Chi. We also conduct reflective practice, mental health learning and mindfulness to add to the experience. Added to this we also work 1-to-1 (personal trainer + client) and 2-to-1 (personal trainer + therapist + client) with individuals who are struggling with mental health issues including anxiety, depression and trauma. 

Now this project needs a physical location to call home, and that's why with your help we can build The Soma Space.

Why The Soma Space?

Participants tell us they love this innovative combination of movement & mental health, working on their body & mind simultaneously, and the inclusive and welcoming space we create:

– "Love for moving my body has been recognised… look forward to the next class” – Client N

– "I’m thankful for your enlightened approach to exercise!” - Client L

– “A very calm, no-stress environment and welcome from Jo & Kev” – Client A

We have already made huge advances with this project including over 150 mental & physical health interventions since January 2023. This is at a time when NHS advice and social prescribing increasingly emphasize the importance of exercise in maintaining and enhancing mental health, and recovering from mental illness.

The Soma Space is now registered as a not-for-profit CIC (community interest company) to serve our community, and working in our own studio will enable us to offer more group and 1-to-1 sessions. This project has been warmly received locally, with a growing community of clients, beneficiaries and supporters. But we know so many more could benefit if we had our own dedicated studio space.

How your support will help

We aim to raise £7,000 to enable us to refurbish a fantastic location in central Oswestry, equip it with strength training equipment (including barbells, dumbbells, kettlebells, squat rack, pull-up bars), design and furnish the space to make it as welcoming as possible, and subsidise our rent for our opening period. We aim to be in the space with a schedule of movement for mental health sessions from late September 2023.

A space unlike other gyms

The Soma Space is founded on therapeutic principles and while we focus on movement and exercise in our work, we know that typical gym spaces can be anxiety-inducing. That’s why The Soma Space will both be unlike anything locally or even nationally: a space in which to move, feel, talk, listen, explore and more – including enjoying cup of great coffee with like-minded people in a welcoming atmosphere.

Meanwhile, this is only the beginning of The Soma Space project. We aim over time to grow our clientele, train others in our methods, and offer longer-term programmes and membership subscriptions with subsidised options for individuals on low incomes, and much more besides.

So, whatever you can offer in terms of pledges, sharing this page with your networks, or offering to support us in other ways will be gratefully welcomed. We’ve come a long way and we’re aiming to go far and we’d be thrilled if you want to join in and help us along the way.

Thank you! Jo Hazell-Watkins & Kevin Braddock, co-founders, The Soma Space: Movement for Mental Health. https://thesoma.space / @thesoma.space on Instagram