Meet the Team
Just a few of the people you can expect to meet if you take part in any of our activities!
Sophie Iles
Physical Activity Project lead
Sophie worked at the council in 2011 and is thrilled to be back to coordinate the Get up and Go programme (from November 2022). Sophie is passionate about supporting residents to lead happy, healthy lives. "I am a single parent of 2 young children working full time so I understand how hard it is to fit physical activity in to your day. Being active helps me manage my mental health when life get's difficult! I enjoy home kettlebell workouts, lunchtime badminton and walking"
Feel free to get in touch about the programme, if you need help finding local activities or to discuss working together on any new opportunities.
Rosie O'Beirne
Physical Activity Project officer
Hi everyone! I'm Rosie, the new physical activity project officer. I am passionate about taking care of our mental and physical wellbeing through physical activity.
I love finding new ways to get people engaged in activities, so if there is something you would like to see on our timetable, please let me know! Having worked at BH Live for 2 years I have been able to gain valuable experiences to support me in this new role.
In my spare time I love to watch football. I am a season ticket holder at local club Portsmouth. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends including my gorgeous dogs. I believe it is important to find what makes you happy and hold onto it.
My favourite quote is 'look forward to all the wonderful and beautiful things that have yet to happen'.
Graham May
Get Up and Go Programme Ambassador
A volunteer at Staunton Country Park and originally helping with our guided walks up there, Graham quickly saw the benefits of the other activities within the programme and became out Ambassador.
Graham has been an asset to the programme for over 5 years now and is a valuable contact out in the community.
Graham participates regularly in our Yoga classes and attends others activities to say hello!
Email Graham // 07444430848
Jo Standen
Jo the Yoga Teacher
Jo teaches our chair-based yoga on a Monday and a Tuesday. Jo's yoga is a workout for the mind as well as the body. Taking time to listen to your own body, Jo will guide you through the exercises to improve balance and flexibility, strengthening your body and mind with activities to co-ordinate the left and right sides of the brain. New participants are always welcome and are encouraged and supported to join in at their own pace. Jo also offers a range of other classes and retreats, so check out her website below!
Email Jo // 07986 168072
Sarah Jaques
Mind Body Mat Pilates
Sarah has previously taught a number of Gentle Pilates classes for the programme and her passion is helping people get moving, and discover things they never knew their bodies could do! When not on the mat, Sarah loves to be by the sea or roaming the country with her dog!
Sarah is going to be teaching our new Pilates at the Plaza class starting on the 23rd May www.mindbodymat.com
Email Sarah // 07810 581508
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Mike Gilbert
Coastal Rowing academy
Mike Gilbert
Coastal Rowing academy
Mike leads the Langstone Adventure Rowing Club, based at Northney Marina on Hayling Island, and he delivers our 6-week coastal rowing courses! He is an incredibly experienced rower and an expert in coaching from beginner level all the way up to international competition level.
In addition to the Get Up and Go courses and Academy Rowing Club (your long-term rowing option once you finish a course), Mike has a whole host of other rowing opportunities for all ages and abilities. You can get in touch with him on the details below;
Email Mike // 07767350512
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Bekki Kingshott
Swimming coach
(Slow lane swimming, Sea swimming courses)
Bekki runs Salt and Pebble (Open Water) Swim Coaching and is running our Get Up and Go open water swim sessions. She has swum outdoors since 2015 and decided to qualify as an open water swim coach in 2021 to introduce and inspire others to experience the physical, mental and social benefits that outdoor swimming brings. She is a fully qualified L2 (active and local) swim teacher (having done so for 22 years) teaching babies, children and adults, fully qualified to teach swimmers with disabilities and deep water aqua aerobics, holds current pool and open water rescue awards and is fully insured. She was also a competitive swimmer on and off up to her thirties and still trains with a local swim club. Her open water swimming highlights include a solo from Jersey to France, two England Channel relays, swimming the length of Lake Coniston and the circumference of Lake Wastwater, and swimming down the River Thames. When she is not in the water or at work, you will see her walking her two dogs and going away in her campervan!
Dan Woods
Community Activator, Active8 Minds
(Walking Football and Inclusive sports club)
Dan is the Community Lead from local coaching company Active8 Minds. He leads a wide range of local community sessions ranging from Walking Football to New Age Kurling, aiming to increase participation and improve well-being within the community with the activities being inclusive for all abilities.
Currently, Dan leads the Inclusive Sport Club on Thursdays 1:30pm -2:30pm in Havant and Walking Football for All on Fridays 4:30pm -5:30pm also in Havant. Dan and Active8 Minds look forward to working with Get Up and Go to offer more local activities in the near future!
Gill, Carol and Sue
Walking Netball hosts
Gill, Carol and Sue run our Tuesday Walking Netball session on Tuesdays, 11am at Havant leisure centre. Here's a little bit about them:
Carol: "I only learnt to play netball after retiring and joining a walking netball group in Bracknell. I enjoyed it so much that I became a walking netball host so I could spread the word to other ladies and share the fun of playing. It’s also been a brilliant way for me to make new friends in a fun environment after my move to Hampshire earlier this year".
Gill: “ I hadn’t played netball since Secondary School and I wanted to take it up again but I was worried I wouldn’t keep up with the speed. When Get Up and Go Havant put Walking Netball on the agenda it gave me an opportunity to play again and I’ve never looked back. It’s not just about the game, it’s a great way to meet likeminded people and I didn’t realise how much fun it would be. And of course great exercise at a level that I can keep up with.”
Zoe
Boxing coach
(Women's Boxing, Parent and child Boxing)
Hi! I'm Zoe, I have lived in Leigh Park all my life, I loved boxing growing up but there wasn't a lot of Opportunities for female boxing back then. I finally got into boxing at the age of 32, where I competed in seven bouts, including 5 amateur matches. Boxing has been an incredible journey, offering not only physical fitness but also the chance to meet amazing people and build lasting friendships. I started coaching in 2016, and coach at Billy Bessey’s Gym, leading women-only, family, and teenager sessions. Coaching is deeply rewarding—it’s about helping others improve their health, get fit, build confidence, learn self-defence, and meet new people, who become life long friends.
Alongside boxing, I enjoy kayaking, camping, and hiking, embracing the outdoors whenever I can.
Steve and Jim
Walk and Talk leaders
(Friends of Staunton Country Park)
Steve: "I first went to, what was then Leigh Park Gardens and Nursery, as an apprentice gardener. in 1972 I spent around 25 years as gardener and ranger. I later worked at Havant Museum, Hampshire Record Office, and finally at Waterlooville Library until I retired. I have always had a deep intertest in the history of Staunton Park and the Havant area. I am also Vice President of the Friends of Staunton Country Park."
Jim: "I have lived in the local and surrounding area for sixty years. I was a volunteer South Down Ranger previous to becoming the chairman of the Friends Of Staunton Country Park. Another passion I have had for most of my life is football and have been the chairman of the Mid Solent Football league for quite a number of years. This is predominantly a youth league allowing youth people to enyoy playing sport in a safe enviroment.
There has always been a passion for the country side in my life I love everything to do with nature."
Jan
Group exercise instructor (Thursday and Saturday circuits)
Hi my name is Jan, I have been in the fitness industry for over 20 years.
As well as Get Up and Go sessions, I also run Hayling Fitness Buddies, Mondays and Wednesdays at 5.15 - 6.15pm at St Mary’s Church Hall, Church Road, Hayling Island. Plenty of free parking and a truly friendly group. I offer a variety of beginner exercises classes to meet all abilities, from Strength & Tone , kettlebells, Legs Bums & Tums, resistance band work outs and Circuit Training with plenty of modifications where necessary.
My passion is group exercise for all abilities, ensuring a friendly and fun environment for all participants.
Check out our Facebook Page or email Jan
"Hi everyone, I am Katie, the Principal of Abstract Dance & Performing Arts - Waterlooville! I started dancing when I was 7 and trained in a variety of styles, entering many competitions and take an array of exams, my most recent being Associate Teaching Qualification with International Dance Teachers Association. I am so excited to start offering an Adult beginner Dance course through Get Up and Go! The classes will be fun and friendly taught in an approachable atmosphere with adaptations for all abilities. The classes will be a chance for adults to return to dance classes or to try a brand new skill whilst gaining friends and having a good dance. If you'd like more information please feel free to contact myself on, Email Abstract Waterlooville // 07359122917"
Katie
Dance teacher
Abstract Waterlooville
Mike Gilbert
Coastal Rowing academy
Hi, I am Carl. I wasn't always an active person. As a IT professional with some 40+ years of experience most of my time was spent in an office environment, commuting or traveling for business meetings. Then in my mid 50’s I had a life changing event - I foolishly undertook a 1/2 marathon … with insufficient preparation/training. Around the 5 mile mark (exhausted) I was passed by several walkers propelling themselves with poles and having a conversation with apparently no effort or exertion. I just had to find out what it was all about … it looked so much more enjoyable and sociable than my running activities. So I discovered Nordic Walking and loved it so much that I trained to become an instructor and walk leader. That was some 5 years ago and my only regret is not finding it sooner. I am not just fitter but have found a community of friends to share activities with and I would like to pass that on.
Carl
Nordic Walking instructor (Chinwag4u)
Michele has long been a regular participant in many of our Get up and Go activities which eventually led to her undertaking the Ramblers Wellbeing Walks training and is now a fully qualified walk leader regularly helping to coordinate the Rowlands Castle and North Hayling walks helping people to exercise in the fresh air.
For 2025 she has volunteered to co-host our regular monthly Flora and Fauna guided walks at Staunton Country Park where she is often accompanied by some of her Border Terriers who always enjoy the stroll and the company!.
Michele Heeley
Ramblers wellbeing walks volunteer
“Hi everyone!”
Laura is originally from Liverpool. She attained her degree in Musical Theatre in Liverpool and had a successful career in Singing, Dancing and Choreography. She has worked all over the UK and overseas, as well as London’s West End. After having her two children, Laura started up her own dance fitness and events business, Dance Fusion. Laura has many years experience, not just on stage but offstage. She has always had a passion for teaching, encouraging and motivating people. She has taught clients from the ages of 18 months- 90+. Laura attained her exercise to music qualification, as well as Zumba, Zumba Gold, Burlexercise, Pilates, kids fitness, and FitSteps. With her wealth of experience, you’ll be in safe hands!
“I absolutely love teaching, it is we’re my passion lies. I love seeing clients grow in confidence and self esteem.
Seeing them make friends, keep fit and improve in coordination, balance and flexibility”.
Laura Simms
Owner of Dance Fusion and Dance instructor
My name is Abi. I'm a health coach at the Horizon Wellbeing Hub, and I'll be running the Ladies That Lift and Men's Intro to Weights sessions. I am passionate about helping people improve their health and wellbeing through exercise and simple lifestyle changes.
My goal is to provide inspiration and motivation to others as they pursue their own health and fitness journey.
Please feel free to pop down to the Wellbeing Hub for more information or email us at wellbeinghub@horizonlc.com