How can we help people in Huddersfield feel safer, stronger and more connected? For many people across Kirklees and West Yorkshire, getting more active is not only about exercise. It can also be about confidence, routine, friendship and finding the right support.
At New Direction Services CIC, we believe community activities should be welcoming and accessible to people from all walks of life. Our work includes fitness, women’s activities, self-defence, creative sessions, holiday clubs and community support services.
This guide takes you through six practical steps, starting with safety and ending with affordable access to regular activities.
Step 1: Put safety first for vulnerable people
Safety must always come first.
People who are vulnerable may face additional barriers to joining a class. These barriers might include anxiety, past trauma, health conditions, disability, caring responsibilities or concerns about being in an unfamiliar environment.
A safe activity should offer:
- Clear information before the session
- Respectful and trained instructors
- A welcoming, non-judgemental environment
- Options to work at your own pace
- Space to ask questions privately
- Consideration for access needs and personal circumstances
- Clear boundaries around physical contact and participation
You should never feel pressured to do an activity that does not feel right for you. A good session focuses on encouragement rather than competition. It builds strength and confidence gradually.
If you are supporting a vulnerable adult or family member, it may help to contact the provider before booking. You can ask about the venue, group size, changing facilities, accessibility and what happens during a first session.
You can explore our wider community services or see our adult activities to find out more about the types of sessions we offer.
Step 2: Book classes through the app at least 24 hours in advance
Planning ahead makes community activities easier to manage for everyone.
Our classes must be booked at least 24 hours in advance. This requirement applies to every class, including fitness, kickboxing, self-defence and other scheduled activities.
Booking in advance helps us to:
- Manage class numbers safely
- Prepare instructors and equipment
- Make reasonable adjustments where possible
- Keep sessions comfortable and organised
- Reduce the risk of someone arriving without a place
Use the relevant booking link or app to reserve your space. For women’s sessions, you can view current options through our women’s activities page. Adult course information is available through our adult activities page.
Please check the latest timetable before making plans. Session times, availability and booking arrangements can change.
If you are unsure which class may suit you, contact the team before booking. It is better to ask a question early than to feel uncertain on the day.
A simple routine can help. Choose a class, book it at least 24 hours ahead, add it to your calendar and prepare what you need the night before. Small steps like these can make getting more active feel more manageable.
Step 3: Find the right post-DV help and support
Physical activity can be a positive part of rebuilding confidence after domestic violence, but it is important to be clear about its role.
Exercise, self-defence, dance and community activities may support routine, social connection and self-esteem. However, physical activity complements but does not replace specialist domestic abuse support, safety planning, counselling, legal advice or medical care.
If you are a victim or survivor of domestic violence, you deserve support at every stage. You do not need to be ready to leave before asking for advice. A specialist service can help you understand your options safely and confidentially.
Read our related guide, Looking for Domestic Violence Support in 2026? Here Are 10 Things You Should Know, for further information.
New Direction Services CIC is not an emergency or specialist domestic abuse refuge service. We can provide community activities and help people connect with supportive environments, but specialist organisations should always be involved where domestic abuse is present.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999. If you cannot speak on a mobile phone, listen to the operator’s questions and press 55 when prompted.
For specialist advice in the UK:
- National Domestic Abuse Helpline , 0808 2000 247
- Men’s Advice Line , 0808 801 0327
- Galop , support for LGBT+ people experiencing abuse, on 0800 999 5428
You can also speak with your GP or local support service and ask to be signposted to specialist help in Huddersfield, Kirklees or the wider West Yorkshire area.
Step 4: Support mental health through activity
Mental health and physical activity are closely connected for many people. A short walk, gentle class or creative activity may help create structure in the week. It may also offer time away from daily pressures and a chance to meet others.
There is no single “correct” activity for mental wellbeing. Some people prefer a quiet walk. Others enjoy music, dancing, martial arts or group fitness. The most useful activity is often the one you can attend regularly and enjoy.
Start gently:
- Choose something that feels realistic.
- Set a small goal, such as attending one session.
- Notice how you feel before and after.
- Build up gradually if it feels helpful.
- Take rest days when you need them.
Mental health activities can support wellbeing, but they are not a substitute for professional care. If you are experiencing ongoing low mood, anxiety, trauma symptoms or thoughts of harming yourself, contact a GP or qualified mental-health professional. If you feel unable to keep yourself safe, call 999 or go to A&E. You can also call NHS 111 for urgent mental-health advice.
For a practical reminder about looking after your wellbeing, read 7 Mistakes You’re Making With Your Mental Health and How to Fix Them.
Step 5: Choose fitness that works for over-40s
Fitness does not have an age limit. It simply needs to match your body, confidence and goals.
For people over 40, activity can support mobility, balance, stamina, muscle strength and social wellbeing. It may also help you maintain independence and build a healthier routine.
You do not need to be highly fit before starting. You can begin with:
- Gentle movement
- Walking
- Dance-based activities
- Beginner fitness
- Stretching and mobility work
- Light strength exercises
- Suitable martial arts or kickboxing foundations
If you have a health condition, an injury or concerns about starting exercise, speak with your GP or healthcare professional first. An instructor should also know about any relevant limitations before the session begins.
The aim is progress, not pressure. You might attend once a week, practise a few movements at home or walk for ten minutes more than you did previously. Every positive step matters.
Our adult activities provide opportunities to learn new skills, improve fitness and become part of a supportive group. We also run community-focused activities for people who want connection as well as exercise.
Step 6: Make activity affordable with pay-weekly community club access
Cost can be a real barrier to getting more active. A long-term membership may not suit everyone, particularly if your income changes, you have caring responsibilities or you are not yet sure which activity you will enjoy.
Pay-weekly community club access can provide a more flexible option. Instead of committing to a long contract, you can plan your activity around your current circumstances and budget.
This type of access may suit people who:
- Are returning to exercise
- Work changing hours
- Want to try a class before committing
- Need a lower-cost route into community activities
- Prefer a week-by-week routine
- Are supporting family members to take part
Please contact New Direction Services CIC for current availability, prices, eligibility and booking terms. These details may vary between activities and programmes.
For families, our holiday clubs offer active and creative opportunities for young people during school holidays. Some funded places may be available for eligible families, subject to current programme arrangements.
Building a healthier, safer community together
Support and fitness are not separate ideas. A safe class can improve confidence. A regular activity can create routine. A welcoming group can reduce isolation. The right signposting can help someone access specialist support when they need it.
Across Huddersfield, Kirklees and West Yorkshire, our communities are stronger when people have clear information and practical choices.
You do not have to change everything at once. Start with one safe step: ask a question, book a class at least 24 hours in advance, take a short walk or contact a support service.
Explore New Direction Services CIC today and find an activity or community service that helps you move forward with strength, resilience and confidence.