About Us
W I S P A - (Women in Sport & Physical Activity) is a cross community women’s project with charitable status established in 1997.
We are a non-profit organisation working to provide increased opportunities for women to access affordable, fun-based physical activity programmes. Our physical activity sessions are delivered by fully qualified female instructors who specialise in a range of exercise methods, e.g. Pilates, Yoga, Zumba, Circuits, Chair based and more!
MISSION STATEMENT:
Wispa’s mission is: “To encourage and support more women to be more physically active and empower them to make healthier lifestyle choices.”
We are a non-profit organisation working to identify gaps existing in local communities concerning women’s health. Our aim is to provide increased opportunities for women to access affordable, fun based physical activity programmes. Fully qualified female instructors who specialise in a range of exercise methods deliver our physical activity sessions for women aged 18+. We are a Belfast wide project delivering in local community based venues such as, schools, church halls, community centres, leisure centres etc.
Our work targets women residing in the most socially deprived areas of Belfast, with particular emphasis on those who are at risk of developing poor mental and physical health due to low or decreasing physical activity levels. WISPA focus on hard to reach groups such as disengaged women, older women, women with disabilities and women from ethnic minorities. We support local communities to meet local needs through co-production and partnership working, focusing on common interests and combining resources.
About US
WISPA have secured core funding through Public Health Agency, this funding is crucial to the project as it supports us to employ core staff who are committed to achieving WISPA’s aims and objectives. In 2020 WISPA was successful in securing 2-year funding from the National Lottery Community Fund Northern Ireland to deliver the F.A.B. (Fitness, Attitude & Belief) Project. The aim of the project was to tackle health inequalities through developing connections, providing more opportunities and strengthening community bonds. F.A.B. supported women to achieve their full potential and positively impact on their overall health and wellbeing.
Present day, we currently have a number of funders supporting our project delivery across Belfast. These funders include: Belfast Health & Social Care Trust, Sported NI, Peter Harrison Foundation, Belfast City Council and Halifax Foundation NI.
We can deliver:
- Pilates
- Yoga
- Legs, Bums & Tums
- Boxercise
- Zumba
- Mindfulness
- Challenges
- Circuits
- Dance Classes
- Chair Exercise
- Chair Yoga
- Mother/Baby
- Bootcamps
- Sports Lessons
AND MANY MORE!
If you are a project/organisation who would like to make a booking with us – please contact us for more information.
These programmes will be tailored to the specific needs of the women engaged. Through participation, we will focus on improving the fitness levels of women by providing them with the opportunity to enhance their health and wellbeing.
our funders
Wispa would like to thank all our funders for their continued support. We are very lucky to work in close partnership with a range of great funding bodies.
The National Lottery Community Fund NI is the largest community funder in the UK. Each year they distribute millions of pounds of The National Lottery’s good causes money to community groups and charitable projects around the country. The National Lottery Community Fund NI support people and communities to thrive. They award money raised by National Lottery players across the UK and support ideas and projects that matter to people and communities.
Public Health Agency was established in 2009 under a major reform of health structures in Northern Ireland. The multi-disciplinary, multi-professional body has a strong regional and local presence. The PHA was set up to provide a renewed and enhanced focus on public health and wellbeing by bringing together a wide range of public health functions under one organisation. They are also required to create better inter-sectoral working, including enhanced partnership arrangements with local government, to tackle the underlying causes of poor health and reduce health inequalities.
Peter Harrison was a self-made man. Having achieved great success in business, he established the Foundation in April 1999. The following year, the Harrison family trusts gave the charity a capital endowment of £30 million. Beyond his business endeavors, Peter firmly believed in the transformative power of sports as a catalyst for self-development and self-reliance. Consequently, the Foundation supports projects that encourage participation in physical activity among those who face physical, mental, economic or social barriers, recognising the life-enhancing opportunities that it can provide.
Meet the team
The WISPA Board
Our fantastic WISPA board members include our Chairperson Nikki Ann Stanley, Treasurer Emma Sheehy, Angela Hodkinson and Louise Irvine. All of our board members are all from a community and voluntary background. We are lucky to have these inspirational women who are passionate, committed and supportive of the work WISPA do and help us address the needs of women in Belfast.
Niamh O'Neill
Project Manager
Niamh joined the WISPA team in 2017 and previously studied Communications with Public Relations at Jordanstown. Niamh took over the management of the project after Audrey Barr retired in 2023. Niamh is enjoying her new role.
Shelley White
Project Assistant
Shelley has recently joined the WISPA team. Shelley has worked in the local community sector for many years and is embracing her new role supporting Niamh to deliver the project.
Angela Fegan
Fitness Instructor
Angela specialises in Zumba, Chair, Boxercise and more! Angela loves working in the community with real women and her advice to women who want to get active is don’t give up, keep going and you are stronger than you think!
Claire Grattan Logan
Fitness Instructor
Claire also known as “Crazy girl” loves working with the women at WISPA to help them improve their fitness but also for the social aspect and promoting a positive mental attitude. Claire specialises in boxercise, Pilates, Zumba, circuits and many more!
Helen Mead
Personal Trainer
Helen joined us back in 2019 and specialises in circuits, 1-1 personal training, HIIT classes and small group training. Helen loves working with women to better their physical and mental wellbeing and enjoys Crossfit training when she has a spare minute!
Maria Roberts
Fitness Instructor
Maria specialises in circuits, legs, bums & tums, HIIT and boot camp classes. Maria’s advice to women would be to work hard and trust the process on their health and wellbeing journey. Maria loves working with WISPA because of the work we do to support local communities.
Tracey Montague
Pilates Instructor
Tracey loves working with WISPA because there are opportunities for ALL women to get involved and start their journey to a healthier lifestyle. Tracey delivers Pilates and exercise to music classes.
Claire Dummigan
Yoga Instructor
Claire specialises in Kundalini Yoga. This type of Yoga focuses on chanting, breathing and holding different poses to activate Kundalini spiritual energy!
Susan Skelton
Fitness Instructor
Susan delivers Pilates, chair activity, circuits, LBT & more! Susan enjoys working with the wide variety of women through WISPA and believes there are no barriers to exercise except yourself!
Elizabeth O' Hagan
Yoga Instructor
Elizabeth specialises in yoga and family yoga sessions. Elizabeth loves meeting new women through WISPA and believes the key is staying active is finding something you enjoy!
Niamh O'Neill
Job Title
Biography about Niamh Lorem Ipsum kjbkef bfbwa bfwb bw abbsuf bfwufbajb Biography about Niamh Lorem Ipsum kjbkef bfbwa bfwb bw abbsuf bfwufbajb Biography about Niamh Lorem Ipsum kjbkef bfbwa bfwb bw abbsuf bfwufbajb
Niamh O'Neill
Job Title
Biography about Niamh Lorem Ipsum kjbkef bfbwa bfwb bw abbsuf bfwufbajb Biography about Niamh Lorem Ipsum kjbkef bfbwa bfwb bw abbsuf bfwufbajb Biography about Niamh Lorem Ipsum kjbkef bfbwa bfwb bw abbsuf bfwufbajb
