Meet the Team
Just a few of the people you can expect to meet if you take part in any of our activities!
Sophie Iles
Physical Activity Project lead
Sophie worked at the council in 2011 and is thrilled to be back to coordinate the Get up and Go programme (from November 2022). Sophie is passionate about supporting residents to lead happy, healthy lives. "I am a single parent of 2 young children working full time so I understand how hard it is to fit physical activity in to your day. Being active helps me manage my mental health when life get's difficult! I enjoy home kettlebell workouts, lunchtime badminton and walking"
Feel free to get in touch about the programme, if you need help finding local activities or to discuss working together on any new opportunities.
Rosie O'Beirne
Physical Activity Project officer
(Starting on 1st August)
Hi everyone! I'm Rosie, the new physical activity project officer. I cant wait to get started in the role on the 1st August. I am passionate about taking care of our mental and physical wellbeing through physical activity.
I love finding new ways to get people engaged in activities, so if there is something you would like to see on our timetable, please let me know! Having worked at BH Live for 2 years I have been able to gain valuable experiences to support me in this new role.
In my spare time I love to watch and play football. I am a season ticket holder at local club Portsmouth. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends including my gorgeous dogs. I believe it is important to find what makes you happy and hold onto it.
My favourite quote is 'look forward to all the wonderful and beautiful things that have yet to happen'. I look forward to meeting you all soon.
Rosie's contact details are coming soon!
Graham May
Get Up and Go Programme Ambassador
A volunteer at Staunton Country Park and originally helping with our guided walks up there, Graham quickly saw the benefits of the other activities within the programme and became out Ambassador.
Graham has been an asset to the programme for over 5 years now and is a valuable contact out in the community.
Graham participates regularly in our Yoga classes and attends others activities to say hello!
graham.may3@icloud.com // 07444430848
Jo Standen
Jo the Yoga Teacher
Jo teaches our chair-based yoga on a Monday and a Tuesday. Jo's yoga is a workout for the mind as well as the body. Taking time to listen to your own body, Jo will guide you through the exercises to improve balance and flexibility, strengthening your body and mind with activities to co-ordinate the left and right sides of the brain. New participants are always welcome and are encouraged and supported to join in at their own pace. Jo also offers a range of other classes and retreats, so check out her website below!
jotheyogateacher@gmail.com // 07986 168072
Sarah Jaques
Mind Body Mat Pilates
Sarah has previously taught a number of Gentle Pilates classes for the programme and her passion is helping people get moving, and discover things they never knew their bodies could do! When not on the mat, Sarah loves to be by the sea or roaming the country with her dog!
Sarah is going to be teaching our new Pilates at the Plaza class starting on the 23rd May www.mindbodymat.com
sarah@mindbodymat.com // 07810 581508
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Mike Gilbert
Coastal Rowing academy
Mike Gilbert
Coastal Rowing academy
Mike leads the Langstone Adventure Rowing Club, based at Northney Marina on Hayling Island, and he delivers our 6-week coastal rowing courses! He is an incredibly experienced rower and an expert in coaching from beginner level all the way up to international competition level.
In addition to the Get Up and Go courses and Academy Rowing Club (your long-term rowing option once you finish a course), Mike has a whole host of other rowing opportunities for all ages and abilities. You can get in touch with him on the details below;
academymike@yahoo.com//07767350512
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Bekki Kingshott
Swimming coach
Bekki runs Salt and Pebble (Open Water) Swim Coaching and is running our Get Up and Go open water swim sessions. She has swum outdoors since 2015 and decided to qualify as an open water swim coach in 2021 to introduce and inspire others to experience the physical, mental and social benefits that outdoor swimming brings. She is a fully qualified L2 (active and local) swim teacher (having done so for 22 years) teaching babies, children and adults, fully qualified to teach swimmers with disabilities and deep water aqua aerobics, holds current pool and open water rescue awards and is fully insured. She was also a competitive swimmer on and off up to her thirties and still trains with a local swim club. Her open water swimming highlights include a solo from Jersey to France, two England Channel relays, swimming the length of Lake Coniston and the circumference of Lake Wastwater, and swimming down the River Thames. When she is not in the water or at work, you will see her walking her two dogs and going away in her campervan!
Dan Woods
Community Activator, Active8 Minds
"Dan is the Community Lead from local coaching company Active8 Minds. He leads a wide range of local community sessions ranging from Walking Football to New Age Kurling, aiming to increase participation and improve well-being within the community with the activities being inclusive for all abilities.
Currently, Dan leads the Inclusive Sport Club on Thursdays 1:30pm -2:30pm in Havant and Walking Football for All on Fridays 4:30pm -5:30pm also in Havant. Dan and Active8 Minds look forward to working with Get Up and Go to offer more local activities in the near future!
To get in touch with Dan please feel free to contact him on community@active8minds.co.uk"
Gill, Carol and Sue
Walking Netball hosts
Gill, Carol and Sue run our Tuesday Walking Netball session on Tuesdays, 11am at Havant leisure centre. Here's a little bit about them:
Carol: "I only learnt to play netball after retiring and joining a walking netball group in Bracknell. I enjoyed it so much that I became a walking netball host so I could spread the word to other ladies and share the fun of playing. It’s also been a brilliant way for me to make new friends in a fun environment after my move to Hampshire earlier this year".
Gill: “ I hadn’t played netball since Secondary School and I wanted to take it up again but I was worried I wouldn’t keep up with the speed. When Get Up and Go Havant put Walking Netball on the agenda it gave me an opportunity to play again and I’ve never looked back. It’s not just about the game, it’s a great way to meet likeminded people and I didn’t realise how much fun it would be. And of course great exercise at a level that I can keep up with.”
Abigail Calder
Health Coach (Horizon Leisure)
My name is Abi. I'm a health coach at the Horizon Wellbeing Hub, and I'll be running the Ladies That Lift and Men's Intro to Weights sessions. I am passionate about helping people improve their health and wellbeing through exercise and simple lifestyle changes.
My goal is to provide inspiration and motivation to others as they pursue their own health and fitness journey.
Please feel free to pop down to the Wellbeing Hub for more information or email us at wellbeinghub@horizonlc.com
Carl Larkin
Nordic Walking instructor (Chinwag4u)
Hi, I am Carl. I wasn't always an active person. As a IT professional with some 40+ years of experience most of my time was spent in an office environment, commuting or traveling for business meetings. Then in my mid 50’s I had a life changing event - I foolishly undertook a 1/2 marathon … with insufficient preparation/training. Around the 5 mile mark (exhausted) I was passed by several walkers propelling themselves with poles and having a conversation with apparently no effort or exertion. I just had to find out what it was all about … it looked so much more enjoyable and sociable than my running activities. So I discovered Nordic Walking and loved it so much that I trained to become an instructor and walk leader. That was some 5 years ago and my only regret is not finding it sooner. I am not just fitter but have found a community of friends to share activities with and I would like to pass that on.
