What's on
From family support, fitness classes and learning to art exhibitions, festivals and talks, our activities are wide and far reaching.
When I first started work at Rambert, I quickly realised first-hand the importance of our relationship with Coin Street.
In my first few weeks, the ever-inspiring Natalie Bell, who is the Head of Youth and Community Programmes, took me under her wing, giving me a personal tour of the neighbourhood centre – a bright, open space, offering everything from nursery to lively get-togethers for the over-50s. The energy and sense of community were palpable.
Next, we made our way to the Colombo Centre. As soon as I entered, I was struck by its welcoming atmosphere. Unlike many gyms I had experienced before, the energy at Colombo Centre felt different. People from all backgrounds felt supported and safe enough to give working out and fitness classes a try, in a no-nonsense environment. As I was shown around, soaking it all up, a thought began to take shape in my mind. Could this, possibly, be my own gym, too?
Here's the thing. I have always been very intimidated by gyms. It stems back to PE lessons at school, which were traumatic. I was teased relentlessly by classmates for not excelling on the pitch. Those experiences left me anxious, as an adult, about pretty much all things related to fitness.
But it felt different at the Colombo Centre. The friendly atmosphere and seeing people from all walks of life working out together, just getting on with it, gave me some bravery. Determined to overcome my fears, I bit the bullet and signed up for a membership.
In my first week, I was fortunate enough to meet Engin, a warm-hearted personal trainer whose philosophy is that fitness should be fun. His approach was a revelation. With his guidance, week by week, I trained (and laughed) consistently for the next two and a half years – a record for me. I’ve never stuck with a gym for as long as this!
Engin made the gym a place of fun and progress. Engin’s support and the communal joy I experienced at the Colombo Centre changed my view of gyms and what I was capable of, personally.
Furthermore, professionally, it has been a delight to see Rambert’s community dance classes flourish at Colombo, particularly the popular Caribbean Fusion for over 50s with Sheba Montserrat and Hip-Hop Styles for children with Simone Sistarelli.
Today, I now realise that going to the gym does not have to be a place of anxiety but of possibility, for me, and others.
In my first few weeks, Natalie Bell, gave me a tour of the neighbourhood centre – the energy and sense of community were palpable.