Events & Classes

FREE for veterans, armed forces personnel,
NHS, carers, and their families
 

The NHS recommends that adults aged 19 to 64 should do strength exercises on 2 or more days a week that work all the major muscles, and at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity a week. The David Ellis Charity delivers an established programme of free fitness classes funded by grant awards, fundraising, and sponsorship at venues in Dorchester, Weymouth, and Portland for military veterans, serving Armed Forces personnel, healthcare staff, and families. 

 

Veterans - It is important to register with a GP, rather than wait until you need treatment. Find information about how the NHS works and how it provides healthcare to the armed forces community HERE. If you’ve recently left the forces, it is important to give your GP the paperwork your military medical centre gave you, including any medical records. 

An active and healthy lifestyle can help to reduce strain on the NHS and free up resources. Our instructors are a volunteer husband and wife team qualified as fitness professionals. Classes are tailored to meet the needs of a range of physical challenges. We advise anyone new to exercise or returning to exercise after injury or illness to seek clearance from their GP. The fitness staff conducts a physical activity readiness questionnaire before your first class. 

 

Instructors are:

 

 CIMSPA registered

 UK Coaching insured

 Enhanced DBS checked

 Safeguarding level 2 certified

 Advanced first aid instructors

 Archery GB instructors

 

venues

  The David Ellis Charity connects to other good causes. The venues we use for our health & well-being activities are either registered charities or support the local community.

Exercise Class Timetable

 

 

Dorchester

Dorchester Rugby Club

 

 

Monday: 6-7pm - Circuit Training

Kindly sponsored by Royal Marine veteran Sean Phelps

 

and

 

Tuesday: 6-7pm - Pilates

Kindly funded by the Dorset Council Community & Culture Award 

 

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Dorchester

The Prince of Wales School

 

Wednesday: 6:30 - 7:30pm - Functional Fitness Class

Kindly sponsored by Ian Windsor of 'Windsor Associates' Dorchester

 

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Weymouth

Redlands Leisure Centre

 

Thursday: 6-7pm - Functional Fitness Class

Kindly sponsored by Sarah-Jane (NHS) and Nick Harper (veteran) the 'Huffers & Puffers' fitness instructors

 

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Portland

Osprey Leisure Centre

 

Saturday: 9-10am - Circuit Training

Kindly funded by Steve Oldrid and The Benouville D-Day Friends

 

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Dorset

Locations Published on our 'Calendar' page

 

Every 3rd Sunday: 10am - Group Walks

South West Coast Path Connectors

 

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Dorset

Locations and dates published on our 'Calendar' page

 

Archery

Taster and free-shooting sessions

 

 

Health & Wellbeing Activities