The new gym helping addicts transform their lives

A new all-weather gym is helping men battling addiction to improve their mental and physical health.

The Carpenters Arms in Loughborough, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre, opened the facility in its garden after local organisations donated equipment.

Richard Spence, CEO of the Leicestershire centre, said the men who arrive at the recovery centre in Wharncliffe Road are "physically and emotionally broken".

"They need the opportunity to exercise, not only to improve their physical health but also to bring purpose to their day," he added.

The building was officially opened on 22 November and was created with support from the Screwfix Foundation.

Mr Spence said the facility provides service users with "access to low intensity exercise equipment which is best suited to their early stages of recovery when muscles are weak and energy levels low".

Simon Cross, from Gloucester, has been at the Carpenter's Arms for 10 weeks.

“I’ve been in and out of prison since I was 14," the 39-year-old said.

"It’s a revolving door. I get out of jail, I start taking drugs again, I commit crime, I get arrested and go back to prison.

"That’s been my life for 26 years."

Mr Cross said his father, who passed away last year, told him to get his life together on his death bed.

"I promised him and I guess that’s what I’m trying to do now," he added.

Mr Cross said the new gym facility at the centre is "great".

"When people say it's good for your mental health, I've heard all that before and I just said 'I’ll do it tomorrow' and I've never done it," he added.

"But for the last eight weeks, I go out every day bar Sunday. I’ve been doing it consistently and the effects are massive."

When asked where he wanted to be in December 2025, Mr Cross said: "The only thing I really want, I just want to be happy and I don't really know what that looks like if I'm honest.

"I just want be content."

Service users are able to stay at the rehabilitation centre from two weeks up to several months.

Steven Roberts, from Nottingham, arrived at the Carpenter's Arms 17 months ago.

"If I'm being honest, it's changed my life," the 41-year-old said.

"I came here a broken person. I was away. I was in prison again. I lost my mum, my head was not in a good place.

"I realised I needed help. I spoke to probation. I got here.

"It's not been an easy journey. But it's been a good, life-changing journey."

Mr Roberts said he had been jogging for more than three weeks and could feel the difference.

"My head's clearer," he said. "It helps with your mental health and it makes you feel better.

"It helps to get fit, focus on something and helps a lot of people’s mental health."

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