A HAPPY healthy birthday was celebrated at Minehead’s Beach Hotel to mark 10 years of the Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership’s (SASP) Wellness Gym’s campaign which has provided more than 36,000 hours of physical activity to people of all ages and abilities.

The special anniversary event brought together partners, instructors, health professionals, and participants to celebrate a decade of improving health, wellbeing, and community connection across West Somerset.

Over the past 10 years, the Beach Wellness Gym has accepted more than 2,500 NHS patient referrals, including high-risk patients and individuals with multiple conditions such as cardiac history, diabetes, cancer, stroke, musculoskeletal, and mental health problems.

Almost 2,000 supported group gym sessions have been delivered for NHS referrals, supporting more than 19,000 patient attendances, with an average of 12 sessions per person.

The Beach Wellness Gym opened in 2016 in partnership with the YMCA and the Beach Hotel, and was created with a mission to inspire and support people of all ages and abilities to enjoy physical activity, improve their health and wellbeing, and feel confident in a friendly environment.

A SASP spokesperson said: “Over the past decade, that mission has grown into something truly special and we could not be more proud of what has been achieved and of the community that has been built in the heart of Minehead.

“From the very beginning, the Beach Wellness Gym has stood out as much more than 'just a gym'.

“It was designed to be a place where people, whether returning to activity after illness, living with long-term health conditions, or simply looking to improve fitness, could feel welcomed, supported, and encouraged.

“Today, that ethos continues to be at the heart of everything we do.”

The centre has become a community asset, offering exercise opportunities, health-focused fitness classes, and supervised exercise support through GP referrals.

The programmes help build confidence, increase mobility, and improve wellbeing in a way that makes a difference.

Throughout the celebration, participants shared stories and reflections which captured the true impact of the Beach Wellness Gym.

One regular said: "The team here is fabulous.

“They are so helpful and so nice.

“I have been here from the start, after my local gym closed, and they are just a very friendly gym."

Another participant said that the wellness gym programmes had helped him become happier, healthier, and supported, describing it as a place that has ‘had my back every step of the way’.

The usual gym sessions continued during the celebration, allowing guests to see how the system worked to provide a welcoming, supportive environment.

The SASP spokesperson said: “We were thrilled to celebrate this milestone with so many of the people who have helped shape, build, and create a lasting legacy for the Minehead community.

“The organisation extends sincere thanks to everybody who attended the event and to all those who have been part of the Beach Wellness Gym journey over the past 10 years, including Colin Johnson, YMCA Dulverton Group, West Somerset PCN, Minehead Community Defib Group, and our instructors and team.”