The Soma Space, a centre set up in the Memorial Hall in late 2023 by personal trainer Jo Hazell-Watkins and psychotherapist Kevin Braddock to promote both mental health and physical fitness, celebrated its first birthday with a mock corporate annual report which was entertaining, funny, but also very informative.

Spoof Powerpoint presentations highlighted the struggles that any new organisation faces along with many of the achievements and positive outcomes that show how worthwhile the project is.

Kevin Braddock, one of the Soma Space co-founders said, “It’s never easy to start anything new but we have had some great support, firstly from crowdfunding, local and national press and later from British Weight Lifting, Oswestry Borderland Rotary and many other sources. We’re now self-supporting but are still looking for funding for referrals. The demand for our services is high and all the feedback tells us we are making a positive difference to people’s lives. We welcome funding from bodies and individuals wishing to support mental health through the power of exercise and community”.

There was a speech from Alfie Jones who has been a member of the facility since it opened and has seen his life change quite dramatically. As he said, “Just one year ago, I could not go into a shop on his own, and now I’m talking in front of an audience. It’s not just fitness, it’s everything”.

PR guru Ruth Martin made a very funny speech as did solicitor and Cae Glass Cricket club all-rounder Martyn Ruscoe, and the evening was rounded off with some hard-hitting poetry from Osnosh founder, Ben Wilson.

Be assured that the passion, humility and humanity of co-founders Kevin and Jo will see it through many birthdays as The Soma Space’s combination of mental and physical health develops into a recognised therapy technique.

For more information, go to https://www.thesoma.space

Alfie Jones

L-R – Kevin Braddock MBACP and Jo-Hazell-Watkins.

L-R – Kevin Braddock MBACP and Jo-Hazell-Watkins.

Picture credit: Soma.