Base2Fitness find a new home in Rotherham: for adults and young people with autism/learning difficulties
Two English athletics coaches set up a new inclusive fitness centre as part of The Base Rotherham – one where every ability counts.
The Base Community Hub, which provides recreational sports activities, learning zones, a social environment and work experience for young adults, aged 14-years-old and over with autism and learning disabilities, has had to find new premises for its popular fitness programme.
Due to a change in availability at the Herringbone Stadium, the Base2Fitness found a new home in The Basement, which was previously used by Wath Boxing Club, in the former Wath Indoor Market.
The Base, which has been running for eight years and providing fitness classes for six years is embracing the forced change, and organisers have thanked those who transformed it in such a short period of time.
The powerhouses behind the transformation have been Michelle Wilson and Anthony Wilson. Anthony has a background in care and Michelle's background is as a product design engineer. They are both English athletics coaches currently supporting Rotherham Harriers AC and their hard work and vision has brought brought Base2Fitness to life.
Michelle said: “Locals have been quite interested in what we were changing the facilities into
“So having found our new home, which has turned out to be better than expected, we have invested and renovated the area into our sports area, gym and have designed and built a unique sensory room. We have also added a kitchenette and a nice spectator area where service users can also have their lunches, equipped with a TV so sporting events can also be watched here.”
And there’s one big difference at this gym: “Our facilities are designed for the individuals with autism and learning disabilities to be an area where ALL ABILITIES COUNT so not your average gym.
“It is a gym specific to our service users and also open to other individuals with disabilities who may wish to attend with their own carers.”
Transformation
The Basement has come a long way in a few short weeks, with MWB Builders – Michael Johnson and Wayne Kitchen – carrying out lots of work.
The area has been designed with a split hall – one side gym and one side a general sports area, they have split the two halves with nets as a safety feature. One half has a blue sports carpet and the other has artificial grass so the indoor area is now suitable for wheelchair users who love to get out of their chairs to do sports on the flooring with textures underfoot.
Range of sports
The blue carpet area has a fully equipped gym, and the grass area is for football training, basketball, table tennis, badminton, yoga, pilates, bowls, boccia, cricket practice, circuit training, indoor athletics including throws and jumps and so much more – it is a flexible area.
Michelle added: “Personally the whole building has just worked out has I have designed but I have had most pleasure in designing and making the sensory room. It is such a unique space that has been designed with different service users in mind so everyone can use the space and benefit from this new part of our service.”
The facilities are open 6 days a week 9 until 4 pm every day costings to attend available on request please contact The Base 01709 872678 or 07597 690506.
Read more about The Base Community Hub here.