About
Momentum Fitness Charity
Momentum Fitness Charity was born from a desire to support more local people to experience the life-changing benefits of exercise and physical activity.
Founded by people with years of experience in the health and fitness industry, Momentum Fitness Charity aims to make fitness more accessible to those who need it most – through the provision of expert-led support for group and one-to-one sessions. We strive to build supportive communities and positive social connections through our work, to help develop people’s confidence, self belief and sense of belonging.
Since beginning in 2023, we have established various on-going projects which all aim to support and encourage local people to participate in fitness and exercise. We continue to develop positive working relationships with other local organisations, including NHS and healthcare providers, local authorities and schools.
Our impact has now spread across the entire South Coast of England.
We’ve delivered over 1000 exercise therapy sessions to children and young people, supported more than 190 older adults through our Fit for Life programme, and provided over 1,150 hours of functional fitness sessions to teenagers with social, emotional and mental health needs.
Not everyone has equal access to fitness. And the people who need it most are often the ones least able to access it.
But Momentum Fitness Charity exists to change that.
We make fitness accessible to those who need it most.
Supporting Local People
We are passionate about building a supportive and inspiring community environment through the delivery of our services. We want to support local people to get together and connect through shared experiences that begin inside the gym but continue beyond it.
We want to give local people the opportunity to participate in fitness in a way that suits them. We endeavour to engage with our community as much as possible to ensure the projects we deliver are as effective and accessible as possible.
Many of our projects typically develop through partnerships with local authority, community groups, schools and healthcare providers (NHS). We strongly believe that building and maintaining strong connections to local organisations is key for us to reach the people who need to access our services the most.
How We’re Funded
As a registered charity, we’re entirely reliant on donations and grants to continue our valuable work.
Grant Funding
Around 50% of our funding typically comes from grants. The grant funding landscape in the UK has become more challenging in recent years with most small charities finding their rate of success has significantly decreased. We are constantly applying for grants from local and national trusts to keep us running
Community fundraising
Approximately 45% of our funding comes from community fundraising events run by our supporters. We’re incredibly lucky to have such loyalty and commitment in our supporters, from bake sales to sporting events, every penny raised helps us to continue to deliver the life-changing benefits of fitness to those who need it most.
Corporate Support
At present corporate support accounts for a small percentage of our income, however we’re looking to grow this. You could help by nominating us as charity of the year at your workplace, running a fundraising event for us at your business, or getting your employer to match fund your donations to us.
If you’re able to help keep us funded and delivering our services, please get in touch, we’d love to hear from you.
We operate a very lean charity, with overheads kept incredibly low. Over 90 pence in every pound goes towards our core work.
Leadership Team
Charles Balchin
Chief Executive Officer
Charles is an experienced leader and has worked with non-profit organisations for over 12 years both as a consultant and at board level. His passion for fitness started in his mid twenties and he quickly discovered CrossFit and the incredible community environment it offers. After having been approached back in 2021 to start up the UK arm of a US inclusivity charity, Charles instead felt it was the right time to form a charity locally that helped make fitness accessible to all, and with that, Momentum was born. Fast forward 2 years and Charles says he’s now more excited than ever to be in the privileged position of leading Momentum to make a lasting positive impact in the local community.
Amy Johnson-Mayes
Chief Operating Officer
Amy has experience across the public and non-for-profit sectors, including roles within the NHS and local authority. Amy is also a qualified Weightlifting Coach and Personal trainer, with experience competing as an athlete at a National Level in Weightlifting. She found CrossFit over 10 years ago and it had a huge impact on her life, changing her perspective on exercise and body image for the better. Since experiencing the positive impacts of physical activity for herself, Amy feels passionate about supporting others to experience the same benefits. “Participation in fitness can be a privilege and can feel inaccessible to many – at Momentum, we want to break down the barriers and get as many people involved in physical activity as possible”.
Project Delivery Team
Kelcie Pomfret
Lead Coach & Exercise Therapist
Kelcie is a sports coach, with vast experience coaching adults, young people and children within CrossFit and other sports. Kelcie has experience working within the YMCA in the US, developing a programme for teenagers to get involved in their local communities. Currently Kelcie is a lead Coach for the kids and teens classes at CrossFit Southampton, and hopes to bring together all of her past and present experience working with Momentum to provide others the opportunity to discover the benefits and joy of connecting with their community through exercise and physical activity
Rebecca Palmer
Coach & Exercise Therapist
Becky is an experienced Weightlifting Coach and Personal Trainer, with a BSc degree in Sports Performance Coaching. She has coached young athletes on talent pathways in both Rugby and Weightlifting, supporting them through national and international level competition. With this experience alongside being a lead coach for the kids and teens classes at CrossFit Southampton, Becky is well-placed to support Momentum deliver sessions to adults and young people alike.
Daryl Bennett
Coach & Exercise Therapist
Goda Zerlauskaite
Project Facilitator & Registered Dietitian
Georgie Taylor-Darke
Coach
Board of Trustees
Ross Walters
Chair of Trustees
Ross currently works as a Manager with a local charity supporting vulnerable young people, so brings a great awareness and understanding of how charitable work can make a difference in the local community. His background is in the military, which is where he developed a love for health and fitness over his years of service, as well as building key leadership, communication and problem solving skills alongside a sense of resilience. Ross’s passion is in helping others and says he is honoured to fulfil the role of Trustee at Momentum.
Georgina Salmon
Treasurer
Georgie is an Accountant with a background working within the events and theatre industry, as well as the education sector.
Georgie is local to the Southampton area and recognises that there is a gap in the provision of fitness and exercise services and facilities within the locality which can mean it feels inaccessible to some groups and individuals; “With a cost of living crisis and the groups of vulnerable individuals as identified in our governing document, I feel that Momentum in Fitness can make a real difference to those in need within our local areas.”
Ruth Andrew
Trustee
Ruth currently works as a relationship manager, but has previous experience spanning across the public, private and third sector. Ruth has worked to support charities to raise vital funds for the local community, including taking on her own fundraising challenges such as the London Marathon and trekking in the Himalayas! On her involvement as a Trustee for Momentum, Ruth says, “I can see the transformational impact exercise has on a person’s mental and physical wellbeing, and how this has the potential to positively impact the local community”.
Penelope Watson
Trustee
Penny’s background is in the Housing sector, where she has experience working closely with local residents and so understands the importance and impact of community services and charities alike. Penny is also a proud member of the Royal Navy reserves and a long-standing member of CrossFit Southampton, so appreciates the importance and benefits of physical fitness for both body and mind. Penny is excited to be a part of momentum, adding that she believes “physical activity should be accessible to all”.
Pete Stokes
Trustee
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Visit us
Unit 3B Barton Park
Industrial Estate
Chickenhall Lane
Eastleigh
Hampshire
SO50 6RR
Call us
02382 182983
