Introducing Liz…  

Liz is a regular attendee of numerous Derby County Community Trust Health sessions, particularly Women’s Health activities. The first session she attended was in early 2024 and she has continued since then!  

Liz first got involved with the Trust as she noticed a decline in both her physical and mental health. She decided that she needed to take control and began to make small changes to her diet and activity levels.  

The first Trust session that Liz attended was an aqua class at Moorways Leisure Centre, something that Liz had previously enjoyed.  

After attending her first aqua class, Liz became a regular attendee, building confidence week on week, she said:

“My fitness improved and so did my confidence, I got to a point where I didn’t even need to put a towel around me afterwards!” 

Once attending and subsequently finding out about the wider Women’s Health offer at the Trust, Liz also began to attend various Women’s Health workshops. She notes that the workshops focused on the menopause were very informative saying “The one in particular joined by a medical professional helped, because there is so much misinformation out there.” 

For Liz, attending the sessions is not only about improving physical fitness, she said:

“Mentally nothing has helped me like this. I don’t think people speak enough about how menopause affects you mentally. It is embarrassing and we often tell ourselves to get on with it, but your hormones do crazy things. It is very intense.” 

Going on to explain her symptoms, Liz explained “I do suffer from Premenstrual dysphoric disorder which exasperated it all. I realised the Pilates classes do help to manage that. It pushes you and tones you, but then at the end when we have a few minutes of relaxation which turns my mind off.”  

Derby County Community Trust’s Women’s Health programme aims to support women so they feel empowered to manage conditions such as endometriosis and menopause. This is done through educational workshops, exercise, mindfulness and creating a safe space for women to feel heard. For Liz, the sessions have done just that “Now I can recognise this [my symptoms], and I know what it is that makes me feel the way I do, I can actively try to change those feelings by going on a walk for example or going to a class.” 

The Trust offer a free 6-month community programme for women which includes access to sessions such as yoga, pilates, aqua, and tai chi. Liz said “I would absolutely recommend the women’s health programmes at DCCT. I tell anybody who will listen. I like the variety of what DCCT offer us and I can’t believe we don’t have to pay for them!””  

As well as the fitness and mental health benefits, Liz has formed friendships and a community through attending the programme.

“I have made so many new friends, I come in early now just so I can speak with them beforehand. We all understand each other, and we have created a lovely little community. We can relate to one another; we’re like one big family! 

If you would like to find out more about our Women’s Health programme please visit https://www.derbycountycommunitytrust.com/programmes/health/womens-health.