Change Agent Leah leads Health and Fitness Classes over Lockdown
The Covid-19 lockdown in NZ created an opportunity for one of our new Change Agents to do something new and lead several classes online for The HEART Movement. Leah Sooipu who has a health and fitness background had proposed health and fitness classes to The HEART Movement in March 2020, however when lockdown was announced the question was asked whether these were still needed. Her answer was absolutely! For Leah it was imperative to deliver these classes, because “now (Covid-19 era) more than ever staying in good health is important, as well as providing an opportunity for people to get active in their own space and to start thinking about their health if they hadn’t already.” For HEART it was a great opportunity to do something new, to support a Change Agent to gain experience in an area she is passionate about, and to provide a pathway to financial support through the Tāmaki Covid-19 Community Response Group.
Leah ran four classes every week from 7th April to 12th June that included two fitness classes, a cooking class and one focussed on parenting. Leah brought her real life experience of being a mum to six, her journey to health and wellbeing and humour into these classes that appealed to those who attended. For her cooking classes the focus was on quick, simple and affordable meals that were healthy and most importantly meals that had been tried and tested by her whānau. She also showed healthy swaps such as using natural yogurt as a sauce and comfort food that was an alternative to takeaways that were not available during lockdown.
Being a live video Leah had to learn fast how to connect and conduct her classes to a live audience. She admits it was a bit weird at first but she soon felt at ease with some techniques that she developed such as visualising an audience and asking the audience questions and encouraging them to comment throughout. As well this steep learning curve, Leah’s whānau had to get used to her new work commitments that took place in the home. Sometimes her eldest daughter would join in to do a fitness class which reiterated that her classes were family friendly! A surprise for Leah was developing deeper connections with people she knew previously, in particular, in the Keeping Calm with Kids space. This online space proved to be accessible as well as a safe place for people to share and connect with one another.
Being lockdown, the classes provided connection to people outside of their bubble and Leah became a familiar face to the HEART community. With regular live attendees plus post live views, 2500+ people to date have tuned into Leah's classes that ran from April through to June. With lockdown now over Leah has transitioned her fitness classes to Te Whare Piringa in Glen Innes and some of her online attendees have followed her here. The HEART Change Agents were keen to support Leah’s classes at TWP and helped to distribute 2000+ flyers to get the word out in the neighbourhood about Leah’s classes. The response has been good with local people attending and getting in contact with Leah regarding her classes. Te Whare Piringa has been a perfect space for her classes with a kitchen, outdoor space and large spacious indoor area that is family friendly. She says she is looking forward to warmer weather when she will utilise the outdoor space for her fitness class. If you live nearby and hear some upbeat music coming from inside the hall Leah says to come on in and join in!
HEART supports spaces, places, people and everything in between that nurtures, supports and encourages healthy relationships. For many Leah’s classes have provided a pathway towards good health that aligns with HEART’s holistic approach to our healthy relationships kaupapa. Leah is now looking into a sustainable business model for the continuation of her classes that will support her professional development. Leah’s online classes over the lockdown period and start up cost at Te Whare Piringa was made possible with funding from Tāmaki Regeneration Company and with support from The HEART Movement. Ngā mihi! Also ngā mihi nui to the Sooipu whānau for your support and understanding while Leah was filming at home!