Did you know, Live Active Leisure is a ‘not for profit’ company limited by guarantee with charitable status. 

This means every penny we make is reinvested back into  the venues and services we offer the local community, through things such as providing classes for people with long term health conditions, supporting local athletes to achieve their potential, upgrading our facilities, free swimming for under 5’s and much more!

We love to hear about the positive impact that we have on people’s lives, so we were delighted when Live Active customer Kirsty, who has cerebral palsy and is registered blind, told us her story about how our All-Ability Cycling sessions have improved her fitness and wellbeing…

Hi, my name is Kirsty Fiona Walker, I have cerebral palsy and I’m classed as registered blind due to lack of oxygen at my birth.

I have struggled over the years with my physical disabilities, but I am a determined person and have always looked for ways to improve my fitness.

In 2008 I met Steven, a personal trainer and exercised with him for 12 years. Steven energized me and challenged me to do more – walk further, run faster, exercise harder, up to the point where I entered for Charity fun runs and 5k and 10k events and a Kilt run.

I also started at Bell’s Sports Centre with the All-Ability Cycling in 2017 and that really boosted my fitness to an all-time high. My cycling buddies, or co-ordinators to use their proper titles, are wonderful. First, I had Kirsty and now I have Ella and with each of them I have clocked up hundreds of miles, going from the North Inch up to Bertha Park and back! 

Also, at one point we were doing our own version of ‘John O’ Groats to Lands’ End’ which unfortunately had to be abandoned because of Covid, and then later that year I had a stress related illness which meant I couldn’t really do any exercises and I had no inclination to do them anyway. I ended up in hospital for a spell and when I came home, I wasn’t interested in looking at my mobile or my tablet and was not in communication with my friends. 

My mental health has improved greatly thanks to the NHS nurses, OT, PT and Dietician who mentored me for 2 years and taught me coping strategies. 

So, here I am, its 2023, I’ve got more confidence and have been back at the All-Ability Cycling since last year and have also started using the gym, but due to other commitments I haven’t been able to go there very often. The latest cunning plan is for Ella to help me train for an adapted triathlon so that should be fun!!! 

I would recommend anyone to join Live Active and have a go at what is on offer at Bell’s Sports Centre. This would benefit people who love the outdoors but are not able to walk very far or have a visual impairment and they would feel the wind in their hair and once again commune with nature and feel the thrill of a gentle speed on the adapted bikes. It would also give them the ’feel good’ factor, it certainly does for me! Or they might enjoy a session with a friend or family member in the gym or for a walk round the North Inch.

You won’t know until you try! So get those endorphins released and improve your wellbeing! 

If you’d like to find out more about our All-Ability Cycling sessions, please visit our website here, or contact Ella at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Our gym at Bell’s Sports Centre offers a wide variety of kit for all abilities, and we have many pieces of kit that are suitable for people with disabilities. To find out more please visit our website here or contact our Fitness Team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.