A trustee from Thanet’s Alfie Gough Trust has been named on the UK’s first Movers List – celebrating 50 people whose volunteering, charity work or dedication to sport and exercise inspires local communities to move more.
Former Margate resident Carl Adams, with business partner Steve Denby, founded Primal Roots in 2016.
The social enterprise runs forest fitness classes for all but has a focus on helping people who’ve experienced homelessness and for those looking to overcome addiction to help rebuild their lives.
Carl, who turned to outdoor fitness during his own battle with alcohol, said: “We run outdoor fitness classes. In the groups there will always be someone who isn’t paying because the sessions are free for those people in recovery from addiction or who have experienced homelessness. We don’t identify them in sessions so everyone is level.
“The reason we do this is that we have both struggled with addiction. AA didn’t wok for me, fitness did.”
Primal Roots began small but has grown steadily to become a full-time venture. It is its outdoor, natural environment that helps to boost those taking part as well as healing them.
Dad-of-three Carl said: “At a time when people are feeling their lowest, a flashy gym might not help, but when working out in the woods with people who’ve got similar stories, people start to thrive.
“Steve and I are full-time this year with five part-time licensed trainers delivering sessions.
“We have 17 sessions throughout the week, most are in Ashford but we are also at Bedgebury Pinetum and Forest.”
Carl and Steve, who also work with homelessness charity Porchlight, hope to be able to expand sessions to other areas, including Thanet.
Carl said: “We don’t have all the answers but this showcases what worked for us. We are all about reconnecting with nature, not just people with addiction or those who experience homelessness, it is for everyone. If you are stuck in a fluorescent lit office all day it makes sense to get out in nature rather than into a fluorescent lit gym.”
Carl and Steve’s work has resulted in their inclusion in the Lucozade Sport UK’s first Movers List.
The list, compiled by Lucozade Sport and judged by sports experts and stars including heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua and England Lioness footballer Nikita Parris, highlights the amateur sportspeople who are helping get the UK more active.
Hannah Norbury, Marketing Director at Lucozade Sport, said: “The Movers List celebrates the unsung heroes and heroines who are selfless in their commitments to helping communities move more. Our research has unearthed an incredibly diverse list of movers across different sports, exercise and fitness activities, that are all united with a passion to get people active and help others discover the benefits and joy of movement.
“We are proud to publish the inaugural Movers List and hope that it inspires people to find their own communities and move more.”