The Together Through Sport campaign is helping Foundation of Light improve health and wellbeing across the North East, supporting people to make positive changes to their lifestyles and build healthier futures.
For Ashleigh Wallace, 35, that journey began with a Level 1 Home Cooking Skills course, which has helped her grow in confidence, overcome personal challenges and take on new opportunities.
When Ashleigh first joined the course, she was feeling nervous and shy, while also struggling with anxiety. However, with the support of the team and those around her, she gradually began to come out of her shell and feel more comfortable in the group.
As the weeks went by, Ashleigh's confidence continued to grow, encouraging her to take further steps towards improving her health and wellbeing.
She began attending Ha'way and Weigh sessions, building on the progress she had made through the cooking course and becoming more involved in other Foundation of Light activities.
Inspired by her experience, Ashleigh went on to join the Cooking Around the World course at Action Station in Boldon, before progressing to her current Cooking on a Budget programme.
Each new experience has given Ashleigh the opportunity to develop her skills, meet new people and challenge herself in a positive environment.
From initially joining a course feeling nervous and unsure of herself, Ashleigh has continued to build her confidence and resilience, embracing opportunities she may previously have found daunting.
But not only has her confidence built, Ashleigh’s journey with the Foundation of Light has been transformational for her health. Combining the Ha’way and Weigh fitness programme with the learning from her cooking courses, Ashleigh has increased her physical activity while learning how to home cook healthy meals.
Her journey demonstrates how the right support and opportunities, which the Together Through Sport campaign has helped provide through North East Housing Partnership funding, can have a lasting impact, helping people make positive changes to their health, wellbeing and everyday lives.
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