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A group set up to help women with young children on the Clements estate has been enjoying free exercise and dance classes with a Royal Academy of Dance graduate, thanks to support from Abbeycroft Leisure.

Wednesdays For Women was set up in 1997 by local health visitor Anne Boyd who was concerned with the numbers of women on the Clements estate suffering from post-natal depression. The group provides somewhere for the women to meet other mums.

It meets at the Leiston Community Centre in Leiston Road, Haverhill, every Wednesday from 9.30am to 11.30am during term time.

There is a crèche where the children can be looked after, and regular guest speakers. Currently around 20 women come along to the group, which has received substantial financial support from Haverhill Town Council, but over 300 women have benefited since its inception.

Most of the women who go to the group do not attend any formal type of exercise classes, so Abbeycroft Leisure, which runs Haverhill Leisure Centre, has provided a fitness instructor to teach a free Zumba class, a popular fitness programme inspired by Latin dance.

Fitness instructor Sarah Butcher is Abbeycroft’s group exercise co-ordinator and a graduate of the Royal Academy of Dance. She has taught in Europe and Canada including television commercial work.

Sarah said: “I have been hugely inspired by what this group has achieved. Apart from benefiting the women themselves, this group has helped their families, and several members have gone on to either start their own businesses or moved in to paid employment as a direct result of their increased confidence gained from coming to the group.

“Group exercise supports confidence building and is a great way to socialise, elevate mood, and keep active.”

Emily Delicate took over as leader of Wednesdays for Women, in April. She said: “The group would like to thank Abbeycroft for their support. Sarah's enthusiasm is infectious - women that didn't join in before are now getting up and having a go which is fantastic.”

Warren Smyth, chief executive of Abbeycroft Leisure, said: “We are very pleased to be supporting Wednesdays for Women. It is a fantastic community group in Haverhill.

"Having a small break, a couple of hours out of the house, to socialise, exercise and talk to others, is so important for mums. Providing a fitness class, such as Zumba, has huge benefits that go way beyond fitness.”

For more information on how to join Wednesdays for Women (entry fee each week is £2.50), or if you are interested in running a workshop or activity for the group, contact Emily Delicate on 01440 768990.