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The Seashell Trust Fitness Suite is celebrating 10 years of keeping the charity's students and the wider community healthy no matter what the individual's ability.

To celebrate the trust is holding a coffee morning for all past and present gym users on Wednesday, October 28, 10:30-12:30pm in at Seashell Trust's common room on the Stanley Road campus. Anyone interested in becoming a member is also welcome to drop in for a tour.

Since the gym, originally funded by grants from the Peter Harrison Foundation and Sport England’s Inclusive Fitness Initiative, opened 2005 over 2,000 people across Stockport have become members. Currently, the youngest gym user is 11 and the oldest 84.

The majority have a disability or health condition. People with mental health conditions, MS, rheumatoid arthritis, and learning disabilities attend fitness sessions. Many are recovering from strokes, heart attacks and brain injuries.

Stephen Dale, 52, of Neal Avenue, Heald Green, had a stroke in March 2013. He was unable to move the right side of his body, and third of his brain died. He now has a titanium plate in his head and sometimes experiences confusion with his speech.

He joined the gym a year ago after advice from physiotherapists at the NHS Devonshire Unit for Neuro-Rehabilitation in Offerton, Stockport.

Twice a week he uses the Seashell Trust gym for an hour and attends weekly aqua exercise classes at the charity's pool.

Stephen said: “After my NHS physio stopped, I needed to lose weight, increase my mobility and confidence. When I started at the gym a year ago I couldn't lift my right leg at all and now I can raise it when needed. My stamina has improved and I have lost weight.

“The equipment has benefitted me enormously and the excellent aqua class now means I can walk in the water unaided.

“The best thing is watching my performance improve over time and the friendliness of the staff and fellow users.”

Stats are recorded after every session and Stephen has lost two stone since starting the gym 12 months ago.

Stephen's brother-in-law and carer Andrew Laing said: “ When he first started at the gym he could not do more than 4 minutes on the recumbent bike and now he does up to 23 minutes at a time.

“He can now walk from the car park to the gym using a quad walking stick and move himself from his wheelchair on to a chair. It has given him that bit of independence and this mobility and confidence is all down to going to the Seashell Trust gym.”

Heather Potter, manager of the fitness suite, said: “Stephen has worked very hard to build his fitness, attending sessions 3 times per week. Stephens confidence has improved, along with balance, strength and stamina. He is a great inspiration to have around and proves that with a little determination you can reach your goals.”

The fitness suite is open for use Monday to Friday, 8am-8pm and weekends, 10am-2.30pm. £3.50 per session/£17.00 per month (standing order)/annual membership £184.00/group hire £20.00 per hour/Gym