VOLUNTEERS and staff at Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles (IHL) are celebrating after winning a national Seriously Social Award.

Cannock’s Chase Fit programme walked away with the top People Above Profit Award category at a glitzy event at the Lowry in Manchester on Wednesday night.

Organised by members’ association, Community Leisure UK, they shone a spotlight on the role charities like IHL play in supporting people and the whole community; putting people above profit and doing social good.

Over the last decade Chase Fit has helped thousands of people in Cannock Chase live healthier, happier lives for free.

Lisa Shephard – Wellbeing Integration Lead at IHL said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have won this award. It recognises a lot of dedication and hard work by staff and volunteers.

“Putting people first, supporting their individual needs and doing social good is at the very heart of our charity.”

Chase Fit began life in 2014 to support people to improve their health by walking locally. Since then, it has expanded to include cycling, gardening and running with more than 200 people attending each week, giving people the opportunity to socialise – reducing loneliness, improving mental health and getting fit at the same time.

This totally inclusive and free programme is made possible thanks to the support of 26 volunteers and is delivered and managed by charity Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles (IHL).

Kirsty Cumming, CEO of Community Leisure UK, said: “A huge congratulations to all our winners and finalists. They are a shining example of what the Charitable sector does best; putting people above profit to create positive social change for everyone in society.

“Rooted in communities they support individuals and the whole community to live healthier, happier and more creative lives through leisure and culture.”

Like many projects, Chase Fit had to start again from scratch following the pandemic but in the last five years alone it has enjoyed 47,000 attendees – that’s a 229% increase on the five years pre-Covid.