Body Happy Communities – help us shape something new in Plymouth
Rachel Earley, Trust Leader for Strategic Community Development,Ted Wragg Trust and Gill Wilson, Lead Facilitator on Body Happy Communities Project, The Body Happy Organisation CIC
We’re really excited to be launching something new in Plymouth this spring: the Body Happy Communities Programme.
This is a free, community-led project in Plymouth, focused on body respect and body image – bringing young people, parents, carers and older community members together to shape activities that feel inclusive, accessible and genuinely useful.
Rather than arriving with a fixed programme, we’re starting by listening.
A community-led approach
Body Happy Communities is built on a simple idea: the people taking part should help shape what happens. That means co-designing activities together, trying things out, and building something that reflects the interests, needs and energy of the local community.
Activities might include creative workshops, cooking, movement, gardening, swimming or mindfulness – but nothing is pre-decided. Some projects may run over time, while others will happen in shorter blocks that people can opt into.
Youth champions will work alongside older volunteers to create an intergenerational programme of body-affirming activities and legacy projects.
Have your say – co-design session
We’re starting with a relaxed Have Your Say session at Burrington Community Hub, which is located next to All Saints Academy Plymouth (who were one of our partner schools when we piloted the Body Happy Schools Programme):
Thursday 12 February
3.15–5.15pm
People living in the PL5 area are invited to come along for the whole session or just drop in for part of it. Young people are welcome to attend independently, and adults of all ages are warmly invited to come along too.
Importantly, this isn’t a meeting about general community or school issues – it’s about shaping a body-positive, confidence-building community project together.
What happens next?
After the co-design session, weekly Thursday after-school sessions (3.15–5.15pm, term time) will begin after half term. These sessions will include a mix of:
Ongoing youth-led projects
Short, opt-in activity blocks for all ages
Alongside this, we’ll also be running:
Multiple guest sessions with the toddler group on Friday mornings
Two free holiday club sessions (dates to be confirmed)
Adults can get involved by volunteering alongside young people, supporting activities, sharing skills or interests, or simply helping create a welcoming, body-affirming space.
Who is it for?
Body Happy Communities is open to everyone in the local area – not just students from one school. Young people, families, and older community members are all welcome.
You don’t need experience. You don’t need to commit long-term. Just interest, enthusiasm and a willingness to get involved!
Get involved
The programme is completely free, thanks to funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, and is delivered by The Body Happy Organisation.
If you’re curious, we’d love to see you at the Have Your Say session on Thursday 12 February – and please help spread the word to anyone who might be interested by forwarding them this blog post!
Questions or interest? Pop us an email at the address below:
📧 hello@bodyhappyorg.com
