TheMovement. Restoring her right to exercise.

TheMovement is a London-based charity restoring every woman’s right to move. Founded in 2020, we break down barriers preventing women affected by abuse, trafficking, homelessness, and poverty from accessing exercise.

We believe movement is a tool for recovery and well-being, yet trauma often excludes survivors from traditional fitness spaces.

Through a network of 25+ trained volunteer instructors, we deliver free, trauma-informed exercise sessions in trusted places such as refuges and homeless drop-ins. Each class prioritises safety, choice, and support, with the provision of free clothing and footwear removing further barriers. We also train fitness professionals in trauma-informed practice, creating systemic change and building sector-wide capacity.

Working with frontline organisations, we amplify women’s voices at the intersection of trauma, inequality, and health. Our mission is clear: to create safe spaces where movement becomes a pathway to recovery, helping women reclaim strength, confidence, and belonging.

TheMovement operates across 10 London boroughs and all sessions are facilitated through our 25+ charity partners, including  Ella’s, Solace Women’s Aid, and Orchards.

We have delivered over 1,500 free trauma-informed exercise sessions so far, with feedback including: 86% of those surveyed reporting the sessions have been beneficial for their mental health, and 84% reporting an improvement in their physical health.

Over 65% noted an increase in confidence and qualitative feedback includes “A community of brave survivors healing together”, “The way the instructor make me feel confident in doing things I never thought I could do” “Being given time to relax, rest, respond and laugh”, “it truly changed my life and the way I feel about exercising”, “I haven’t felt this motivated and excited to exercise in years”, “its my exercise and social time, very important to me”.

While our core mission is to remove barriers to movement, the impact of our work extends well beyond physical activity. Our sessions provide women with the opportunity to reconnect with their bodies, build resilience, and re-establish a sense of belonging. Our programme fosters a supportive community of women who motivate and encourage one another, reducing isolation and promoting social connection, key factors in recovery and long-term wellbeing. This increase in self-belief often acts as a stepping stone towards further positive outcomes, such as re-engagement with education, training, or employment.

By equipping women with the tools to move, connect, and thrive, our programme also contributes to stronger communities and the reduction of long-term demand on health and social care services.

A brief introduction to TheMovement CPD course.

With 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men experiencing domestic abuse at some point in their lifetime, it is sadly extremely likely that every fitness professional will have clients who have experienced trauma.

TheMovement's one-day CIMSPA-accredited CPD course, A Trauma Informed Approach to Exercise Provision, equips fitness professionals with an understanding of how trauma might be affecting clients in physical activity settings, and simple skills to ensure we are creating safe and welcoming exercising spaces for all.

Case Study - The impact of our charity exercise sessions:

“I reached out to the Women’s Aid Charity - Solace following an abusive relationship. As well as offering me a course of counselling sessions, they invited me to attend weekly exercise classes through their partnership with the Movement Charity.

Each week, I attended one counselling session and one exercise class, and I was amazed by how well they complemented each other. The counselling sessions were naturally tough and emotional, so it was great to have the exercise classes to look forward to and simply focus on my health. With each week, I felt I was feeling stronger mentally, emotionally, and physically; I was doing positive activities for my whole well-being - from head to toe!

The exercise classes were always so enjoyable and varied, with the chance to try out different equipment and circuits in a welcoming, un-intimidating environment.

I found a love for weight training in the exercise classes, and whenever I felt low on energy or moved up to a new weight, I thought about my strength in the counselling classes, and that always helped me to push forward. Now, whenever I’m trying to push through a physical exercise barrier, I reflect on being courageous and a survivor, and that continues to give me the strength to push through.

I feel so grateful to the charity for providing a free, safe space for me to reconnect with my body, discovering and developing my physical strength. It was a really valued aspect of my recovery journey.”

TheMovement