In It Together is a project created by Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership to help women (ages 16+) find a way of getting active that’s right for them through community-based activities.
Why was In It Together created?
In It Together aims to help women aged 16+ overcome the barriers they often face when trying to get active. The project aims to foster positive, empowering experiences in safe and inclusive community environments.
By offering affordable and accessible activities led by supportive instructors, In It Together encourages women to build their confidence, feel motivated, and embrace physical activity on their own terms – finding what works and what is right for them.
How did you know what people wanted?
In It Together is shaped by listening to the community, specifically through local insight and national survey results that highlight consistently low activity levels among women across the county, both before and after COVID.
These insights made it clear that many women needed activities that were not only affordable and accessible, but also achievable and tailored to their individual comfort levels.
The project responds to these needs by offering a range of options: supportive running groups, introductory sports courses, specialist postnatal or menopause classes and gentle, low-impact activities for women wanting to ease into movement.
Facilities are carefully chosen to ensure ease, comfort and security with essentials like toilets, changing rooms, and parking.
While the instructor characteristics include warm and welcoming, empathic, and the ability to support participants on their journey.
How do you promote your activities?
In It Together began in one district of the county, promoted with support from the local council through targeted funding and outreach. Initial promotion used social media, newsletters, and posters, which led to high participation and strong community engagement.
As the project proved successful and expanded county-wide, its promotional efforts grew to include a website, radio talks, wider social media campaigns, newsletters, partnerships with the local community groups, hospitals, and word-of-mouth through colleagues and local networks to ensure the message reached as many females as possible.
Testimonials from In It Together participants:
“Really good to be part of the MenoFit program, exercising with other women experiencing perimenopause or menopause. Supportive and friendly group, with great post exercise discussions. It helped me with my mental health and brought back my enjoyment for exercise.”
"After stopping exercise for a few years, I'd lost a lot of confidence in going to a class again and my own ability to push myself physically. The classes have been a real mix of abilities and ages, so it felt very inclusive. Each session has boosted my confidence in myself and has left me feeling like I've had a good workout and feeling good! I'm glad to say I've got the exercise bug back!"
"I would say, just have a go. I’ve done rugby circuits, and tennis as well as a previous dance course before. I was made to feel welcome, and supported to do as much as I could, but never pressured. All the instructors have been friendly and approachable, as well as knowing their stuff! And there were all different ages there. It’s such a good opportunity to try something different. As I get older, I’m even more determined to keep fit and mobile and the cost makes it affordable which I really appreciate.”
“Postnatal Yoga gave me the new confidence I needed to be able to relax and exercise with my baby in tow. It got my body moving again for the first time in a long time and I have felt so good for it. Not only have the physical benefits been amazing but the mental benefits have been great too. Having just had my first baby after a traumatic birth, this course gave me the confidence to simply be able to leave the house on my own with him, chat with other mums and feel myself again. I am so pleased SASP provided this, and I hope it can continue for other mums in the same position.”
What challenges have you faced?
One of the biggest challenges In It Together faces is striving for equity across the county, trying to ensure that all women have equal access to opportunities.
Despite our best efforts, there will always be some degree of variability due to differences in available facilities, resources, and instructors in different areas.
Funding remains a principal factor; however, we are working closely with Primary Care Networks to provide targeted activities responsive to the specific needs of each community.
What are you plans moving forward?
In It Together will continue to support women through life, school, work, getting the balance to regain confidence and maintain their health and well-being.
One of our key focuses moving forward includes expanding support for teenage girls, particularly those at risk of dropping out of activity or are already disengaged. We aim to explore workshops and drop-in sessions that address key topics, listening to the girls themselves to shape the activities they want and need.
Secondly, looking at ways to sustain provision as we encourage more women to be active during the childbearing years by offering safe, affordable opportunities led by trained instructors.
A significant element of this support is fostering meaningful relationships between mums, connections that help build confidence, reduce isolation, and create a sense of belonging.
These peer relationships, combined with movement, play a vital role in supporting women’s physical and emotional wellbeing, especially as they navigate the transition back to work.
Thirdly, delivering targeted physical activity sessions to perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause women. These sessions use movement as a powerful tool to help manage and ease symptoms, support hormone regulation, improve sleep, and create opportunities for women to connect with others going through similar experiences to find a support network.
Top Tip for groups looking to do something similar:
Listen to your communities, gather lived experience where possible and think about the little things that can make a huge difference.
Put the people you are aiming to support at the heart of your approach and truly listen to what they want to try. Designing activities around their input builds trust, relevance, and lasting engagement.
There will always be some conflicting needs, but by reducing these as much as possible, you will create something that works for most.
You can try your local council or your county’s Active Partnership - they are open to collaboration and will be valuable in getting your project off the ground.
How does In It Together embody the action area 'Safe'?
In It Together embodies the principle of ‘Safe’ by creating welcoming, non-judgmental environments where women feel comfortable trying something new - often for the first time and among people they have never met. Our motto, “fun, friends and feeling good,” captures the heart of our approach.
The atmosphere we create is not only physically safe but emotionally supportive. Women are encouraged to participate at their own pace, without pressure, and with instructors who are empathetic, understanding, and inclusive.
Time and again, we have seen participants leave with more than just the benefits of movement, they leave with new friendships and a renewed sense of confidence.