Poplar Pop-ups prove a great success!

The week beginning Monday 15^th July saw Poplar & Bow residents get involved in a whole range of pop-up activities at Chrisp Street market. In both rain and shine, the Well One partnership – including staff from Poplar Harca, Tower Hamlets Homes, PATH, Green Candle Dance Company, Poplar & Limehouse Health Network as well as exercise tutors from Fit For What and Walk In & Workout – were there to bring cheer to passers-by.

From dance aerobics to skipping, and cycling skills to boxing, each day brought new opportunities with no prerequisites for getting involved. There was something for everyone, no matter their age or skill level – the week saw a 3 year old learning to skip, and a 60 year old turning her hand to boxing for the first time. Over 300 people joined in the different activities, speaking to volunteers about local opportunities to continue the fitness fun (many of which can be found on www.wellone.co.uk).

Krutika, a local Poplar resident, enjoyed Monday’s pop up Dance Aerobics class so much that she returned to Chrisp Street market every day for the rest of the week to enjoy all of the different activities:

“I live just by the market so it’s been great to join in the different exercise sessions right on my doorstep – bringing my son along.

“I especially loved the boxing pop-up because I’d never done it before and it was fun to try something new. The aerobics has made me feel more flexible and like my stamina has increased. And I will definitely buy myself a skipping rope so I can improve on my total of 22 skips!

“It was really inspiring to see people of all ages get involved and join in the fun. I enjoyed watching the Green Candle Dance Company perform and I can’t believe their average age was 70! I hope I’m still active at that age.

“I’d like to see more of these kinds of events in Poplar – just simple pop ups for all the family.”

Many thanks to our partners – Poplar Harca, Tower Hamlets Homes, Fit For What, Walk In & Workout, Play Association Tower Hamlets, Women’s Environmental Network, Cycle Confident, GLL, Green Candle Dance Company, Poplar and Limehouse Health Network – and all the  local volunteers.