Our work with Hebron Housing
Creating safe and sustainable opportunities for women to be active together: Hebron Housing Trust
Hebron Housing Trust provides accommodation and support for women across a number of houses in Norfolk. When Active Norfolk first engaged with the organisation, there were very few opportunities for residents to be physically active together and little understanding of what types of activity would appeal to the women living there.
Active Norfolk worked with Hebron Housing Trust to better understand the physical activity habits of residents. With little organised activity currently in place and no history of women taking part together across the houses, it was clear that a different approach was needed. By involving residents from the outset and giving them a voice in shaping the programme, the project aimed to create activities that felt relevant, welcoming and worthwhile.
Working together, we set out to develop a welcoming and sustainable activity offer that would bring women together in a safe space, build confidence and support long-term participation.
A Test and Learn Approach
Supported through Sport England’s Test and Learn funding, Active Norfolk worked in partnership with Hebron Housing Trust to explore what a sustainable physical activity offer could look like for the women living across the houses.
The project began with a series of taster sessions designed to understand what participants enjoyed and what would encourage them to keep coming back. Hebron Housing Trust played an important role in promoting the sessions and bringing together women from across their different houses to ensure a mix of participants were involved from the outset.
The long-term aim is to develop a sustainable activity offer that is shaped by the women taking part and, over time, can self-led.
Finding What Works
Participants were given the opportunity to try a variety of activities including badminton, pickleball, table tennis, boccia, curling and cornhole.
The sessions focused on fun, enjoyment and togetherness, creating a relaxed environment where women could try something new without pressure. The variety of activities allowed participants to explore different ways of being active while helping Active Norfolk and Hebron Housing Trust understand what activities the group enjoyed most.
‘I’ve had more than a decade of isolation, and this has just blustered things out the water for me, in the most positive way.’
Participant
‘I really like how social it is, I was very nervous about my ability… but actually, we’re all new to it, and its been really fun that we’ve grown in confidence and skill together.’
Participant
Bringing women together from across the houses provided an opportunity to meet others, try new experiences and take part in activity as a group. For many participants, this was a new experience and building confidence was an important part of the journey.
As confidence has grown, the focus has begun to shift towards developing a sustainable offer that the women can help shape and take ownership of. The long-term ambition is for the group to move towards self-led activity, supported by an affordable and accessible venue that enables the sessions to continue beyond the initial funding period.
Learning and Impact
One of the biggest lessons from the project has been the importance of listening. Rather than assuming what activities the women would enjoy, the sessions were shaped by their feedback from the very beginning. Giving participants choice and ownership has helped get women through the door and, importantly, keep them coming back.
‘I think I was really worried about being sweaty and everything wobbling everywhere in front of people, but… we’re all in the same boat, so it doesn’t really matter, especially because it’s all women, that’s the most important thing that makes me want to come because it is only women.”
Participant
The women have particularly enjoyed having a session that is just for them. The women-only environment has helped create a space where participants feel comfortable, relaxed and able to be themselves while trying new activities.
The project has also shown the value of taking time to build trust. By focusing on fun, enjoyment and togetherness, the sessions have created opportunities for women to be active in a way that works for them
As the project continues, these learnings will help shape a sustainable offer that reflects what participants want and need, giving it the best chance of continuing in the future.
Find out more
If you would like to find out more about setting up activities for women and girls, please get in touch with Ellen Vanlint, our Senior Partnerships Officer: