Northampton fitness enthusiast named as 'Rose of Northamptonshire' for providing exercise classes to town's visually impaired

A Northampton project manager and fitness enthusiast has been named as a 'Rose of Northamptonshire' for providing exercise classes for visually impaired people in the town throughout the Covid pandemic.

Owen Jones, from Queens Park, was nominated for the award by his class members for his "outstanding support" in what has been a difficult time for visually impaired people to exercise, which is due to Covid rules including social distancing.

The award, which was open to the public to send in their nominations, recognises and expresses thanks to groups or individuals who have worked tirelessly to keep their communities safe since the pandemic began back in March 2020.

Owen said: "It's a really nice thing to have been nominated for. I was shocked. I had no idea where the nomination had come from and I had no idea about this award - it was totally out-of-the-blue. It's brilliant for people to be so kind and put me forward."

The 55-year-old said he was initially asked to provide sessions for Northampton's visually impaired at the end of the first lockdown in July time, and he has continued the classes at Kingsthorpe Rec ever since.

He said: "I was up for it. I had a good idea of what it was going to be like as I had done a course for blind people before. I have to provide really, really detailed instructions but they got it very quickly and then we were up and running.

"The park is quite big and there's nothing in the way. Even though they can't see where they're going we still could go and do some sprints, dips, push-ups, wall-sits. They are perfectly able-bodied.

"They really liked being able to get out and about. One of the things I did was push them out of their comfort zones - we do things able-bodied people do."

Owen said his members take a lot more from the classes than just better fitness levels.

He said: "I think what it has done is allow the members on a weekly basis to say hello to each other and have a laugh. It's not just about getting up and about physically, it's mentally too."

The sessions are currently being hosted on Zoom calls but Owen said he and his class are hoping for lockdown restrictions to ease so they can return to the park.

Owen added: "My main message is for everyone to get out there and really enjoy it. You get a lot of benefits from exercise, it's something everyone should do."

For more information, visit https://queensparkfitness.com/