My name is Roberta and moved to Tendring 18 years ago. When I did, I searched for group family glasses that we could do together. I have a toddler and a teenager and needed something to grip both of their attentions!

After a very hard time just over 5 years ago, I had to stop and take myself off this roundabout called life – I had to change my direction. I realised that my body didn’t need a challenge, but my mind did! Over 20+ years in the Property Industry I realised that I wasn’t getting any younger and if I was going to have the guts to push my true passion it had to be now. I gave up my job, did my qualifications and am now able to offer a service locally to families, children and teenagers to get moving!

I find that good instructors, fun participants, and loud music helps me forget the world and exercise offers an escapism as well as working the whole body. So, as well as working at Clacton Leisure Centre, I hire a local hall, or my garden to offer Berts Belly Busters – a full body workout for local people who can’t afford to pay for gyms or those who lack a little confidence. Mums often bring babies in prams and I offer a colouring table for older children. My dream was to offer a class where families could work together and have fun.

Now 2021, with the added destruction from Covid 19 – obesity, loneliness, anxiety, depression, mental illness is increasing, and all of these could have easily played a part in my life if I didn’t have exercise. It is my hope that by becoming a Find Your Active ambassador I can help keep opportunities local and affordable and help change the mindsets of people towards activity. I’m living proof you can change and live a healthier better life!