Active Communities
Get Doncaster Moving work very closely with the Well Doncaster team, who support people and communities across Doncaster to improve their physical and mental health and wellbeing.
Across Doncaster there are Well Doncaster Officers dedicated to supporting people and communities to become more active, offering information, advice and guidance.
Get Doncaster Moving and Well Doncaster have recently introduced local Community Connectors to support residents in Bentley, Wheatley and Intake, Balby, and Stainforth to get out and about more where they live. They provide information on existing opportunities available to residents in their area and also encourage the community to create more opportunities to support people to have a healthy and active lifestyle.
You can find your local Well Doncaster Officer or Community Connector further down this page or on our Meet the team page. You might also like to visit the Well Doncaster website.
Active Communities Grants
Together, Get Doncaster Moving and the Well Doncaster team have created a fund called 'Active Communities Grants' which is available to local residents, groups and organisations to fund ideas that help people get out and about more, and be active where they live. Grants of up to £500 are available.
We're open to fresh ideas! What's important is that your idea supports Doncaster communities to become places where being active is attractive and accessible.
Read about Conisbrough Forward, a rambling group who was awarded an Active Communities Grant, and what it meant for them: Get Doncaster Moving awards 50th Active Communities Grant to rambling group.
Active Communities Grants Information Pack (PDF, 543 Kb)
Please read the Active Communities Grants Information Pack for more information about how to apply.
Well Doncaster Officers:
Lauren Beaumont
Well Doncaster Officer (Askern, Askern outlying villages, Bentley, Carcroft, Highfields, Woodlands)
Doncaster Council
In my role I look at improving the health and wellbeing of our residents with a particular focus on the most deprived communities in Doncaster. I look to work alongside community organisations to help residents be more active, finding ways to overcome any barriers to physical activity and get people moving.
What do you do to keep active?
Outside of work I have two young children who keep me busy! I also walk 30 minutes to work each day which I really enjoy and it is not only good for me physically but also mentally. I love getting out on my bike when time allows and I would love to find some local exercise classes to attend.
What advice would you give to someone who wanted to start moving more?
Look at what is going on in your area, start off small and build it up. Exercise is great both mentally and physically and the impact it can have on your overall wellbeing is huge.
- Telephone
- 01302 736087
- Lauren.Beaumont@doncaster.gov.uk
Laura Bugge
Well Doncaster Officer (Central)
Doncaster Council
My role is to improve the health and wellbeing of residents both in the community and on a one to one basis. A part of my role is listening to residents and ensuring they have access to green spaces and create opportunities for residents to be active in the communities, which can be funded by Active Communities Grants. I also work alongside the Community Connectors in central to support them in their roles and we work together so we can encourage the communities to be more active.
What do you do to keep active?
Outside of work I like to swim, it helps me relax and unwind after a day at work or university. I have also taken up walking around a local country park, which has been nice to clear my mind but also an opportunity to catch up with a friend.
What advice would you give to someone who wanted to start moving more?
I think you need to take small realistic steps, which can be included in your daily lives and then slowly build up activity levels.
- Telephone
- 01302 736769
- Mobile
- 07816 199145
- Laura.Bugge@doncaster.gov.uk
Naomi Guthrie
Well Doncaster Officer (Dunscroft, Hatfield Woodhouse and Hatfield Prison)
Doncaster Council
I work with communities in Doncaster East to improve health and wellbeing, and address any barriers to being physically active. It is important to listen to the voice of residents and use that to shape what services and support is needed to promote active travel, and make best use of our green spaces. For me, physical activity comes in all forms and there is no one size fits all so I am keen to reduce inactivity in different ways.
What do you do to keep active?
I go to gym and have recently started CrossFit, I try to squeeze workouts in where I can. When it gets to the weekend I slow it down and enjoy being out in nature walking. I regularly practice yoga and find the relaxation and stretch important for recovery.
I try to give everything a try (at least once) so occasionally climb, swim, paddleboard and kayak. If there is an opportunity to move and have fun I will give it a go!
What advice would you give to someone who wanted to start moving more?
Utilise any support that is available. Whether it is friends, family, local groups or organisations – there is a wealth of support and knowledge out there, so don't feel like you have to do it alone. Give everything a try, the unconventional, weird and wonderful. If it is moving and you enjoy it then you're winning.
- Mobile
- 07971 395978
- Naomi.Guthrie@doncaster.gov.uk
Kerry Hughes
Well Doncaster Officer (Stainforth, Thorne, Moorends)
Doncaster Council
In my role I listen to the local community to gain valuable insight into the barriers facing people to be more active. I then use this information to work with partners, community groups etc. to find ways in which to reduce or overcome these barriers. I also work alongside the Community Connector in Stainforth to support her role and we work together to support our community to be more active.
What do you do to keep active?
I have a very busy life with three boys to keep entertained but we go on regular walks around the community. Since Covid we have found new walks in the area we live, we like exploring and keep active that way. I am going to start fitness classes as a way of getting a bit of me time as well as being more active!
What advice would you give to someone who wanted to start moving more?
Just to do little and often at first, then to slowly push yourself to go a little further, and work your way up to more activity from there, one step at a time. When you have achieved the next step the feeling of accomplishment is amazing!
- Telephone
- 01302 737433
- Mobile
- 07971 955519
- kerry.hughes@doncaster.gov.uk
Alexandra McBain
Well Doncaster Officer (Denaby, Edlington, Mexborough, New Rossington)
Doncaster Council
I support community groups and organisations to create opportunities for residents to be active through advice, promotion and access to funding such as the Active Communities Grants. I also share community insight from residents in the south of Doncaster to ensure that community voices are heard on aspects such as the regeneration of green spaces, accessibility or support with events.
What do you do to keep active?
I mostly keep active with the help of my 11 year old daughter and puppy! But I do enjoy going for walks, enjoying natural scenery.
What advice would you give to someone who wanted to start moving more?
Start small and make it manageable so it can be done over an extended period of time. Whether it's walking to the shop to buy the daily news or taking the bins out.
- Telephone
- 01302 736911
- Mobile
- 07974 602092
- alexandra.mcbain@doncaster.gov.uk
Kelly Watson
Well Doncaster Officer (Balby, Clay Lane, Intake, Wheatley, Hexthorpe, Town Centre and Hyde Park)
Doncaster Council
- Telephone
- 01302 737020
- Kelly.Watson@doncaster.gov.uk
Community Connectors:
Ian Ogley
Community Connector (Intake & Wheatley)
PFG (People Focused Group)
As the Community Connector for Intake & Wheatley I encourage local residents to be more active. I share my own personal experiences with people to encourage them to be more active too. As an asthmatic, arthritic, diabetic and having a heart murmur, joining Fit Rovers has really improved my own fitness and wellbeing.
Julia Marshall
Community Connector (Bentley)
North Doncaster Development Trust
As Community Connector for Bentley, I encourage the local community to take part in a variety of activities to be more active such as walking or taking part in fitness classes. I hope to spread the word that fitness is fun, you just need to find the right activity for you.
What do you do to keep active?
I personally teach 13 classes a week and walk my dog everyday along the Trans Peninne trail and surrounding parks.
What advice would you give to someone who wanted to start moving more?
Just start small, try lots of different activities first and then see what you are drawn too. Sometimes overdoing it can be painful so start little and often to build up stamina, strength and smiles.
Lisa Hughes
Community Connector (Balby)
Flourish Enterprises CIC
As the Community Connector for Balby, my role is to encourage local residents to move more. I actively go out into the Balby community to encourage people to take part in physical activity. It has been recognised that in Doncaster, there is a great deal of physical inactivity and my role is to encourage people to be more active in their daily lives to help reduce this.
What do you do to keep active?
I have been taking part in Pedal Ready training, where we learn to ride a bike and take our proficiency test and I am also in the process of starting up a walking group. To keep active myself, I take part in a squash group with colleagues and I have also joined a gym. I like walking and I enjoy being active in groups.
What advice would you give to someone who wanted to start moving more?
The advice I would give to someone who wants to start moving more is that they should start off with gentle exercise and progress from there and it always helps to get advice from professional instructors. I find doing physical activity in groups more enjoyable and more motivating, but most of all I would say do something fun!
Georgia Snape
Community Connector (Edlington)
Edlington Community Organisation
I am the Community Connector for Edlington. My role is to engage the community to move more and become more active. This can be through setting up local groups, having discussions with residents, letting people know what activities are currently available and finding out what is needed here in Edlington to improve physical fitness and wellbeing.
What do you do to keep active?
Recently, I've started doing walks at least once a week to build my fitness up and try to increase the distance as each week moves on. I also like walking my dogs and playing a game of badminton.
What advice would you give to someone who wanted to start moving more?
Making positive lifestyle changes can be intimidating at first but making good habits like scheduling a day or time to do a certain activity can be really helpful. Any exercise is better than none. It could be something as simple as walking to the shops instead of taking the car. Whatever you decide to do to get active, make it fun!
