Couch To Ok

In January 2026, Jog Derbyshire partnered with Sen Fit CIC to launch their Couch to OK group. Unlike Couch to 5K, Couch to OK removes the pressure of hitting a specific distance or time goal. Instead, it offers a supportive space where people can begin moving in whatever way feels right for them, with just one aim: to feel a little more “OK” than they did before.

At the heart of this new group is Sarah, a Jog Derbyshire and Walk Derbyshire Leader and parent carer who understands how challenging it can be to find and prioritise time for yourself, yet also knows first‑hand the powerful benefits that come

from doing so.

Sarah discovered Sen Fit while looking for a safe space for her daughter to socialise

and soon realised it offered so much more. For her, being part of Sen Fit became about getting active, meeting others, having time for herself, and joining a community that truly understands and supports one another.

“I started going to Sen Fit because my daughter really struggled with socialising and she wasn’t going to school and needed a way of getting her out. The tea time club at Sen Fit was the perfect way of getting her out of the house. Through my daughter starting the tea time club I then started the circuits class which then got me socialising within the community and now the whole family is now in a safe place and getting active.”

Being a parent carer can be both rewarding and challenging. While it brings many moments of pride and joy it can also be demanding in ways that are hard to put into words, with constant responsibilities that leave little space or energy to pause, breathe, or prioritise your own needs. Finding time for yourself, some space to recharge and look after your own wellbeing can be difficult, but it’s incredibly important. Sarah shares how finding a way to become more active in an environment she felt safe in has changed her life.

“Just because you have a child with SEN it doesn’t mean that your life has to stop, yes it is harder but I’ve managed to go from not being able to walk up the stairs without having to sit down for a breather to doing circuit classes, doing 10k runs, and I’m now going to do a strong women competition and that’s all because of Sen Fit and having that confidence. So just because you have a SEN child it doesn’t mean you can’t do it, and yes it’s hard, it’s really really hard, it’s a lot harder than having children without SEN,  however you have to make that time for yourself and actually my children watching me has made them more confident and has encouraged them to become more active”

Sarah hasn’t only achieved all of this for herself and her family, she trained to become a Walk Derbyshire Leader in September 2025 and when the opportunity came to apply for funding from the Jog Derbyshire Community Fund to train as a LiRF leader, she jumped at the chance!

Since January, Sarah has been supporting other parents and carers at the Couch to Ok group including those who bring along children who aren’t in school, to get moving in a way that feels comfortable and achievable for them. Whether it’s walking, jogging, or gentle running, she helps people carve out time for themselves and enjoy an hour of movement and conversation in nature.

The group is also regularly joined by one of Sen Fit’s family support worker, who is on hand to listen and offer guidance to participants whenever they need it. Lucy said -

“When people are outside and moving the conversations feel more relaxed, it’s great to be able to be there and to offer advice and support when it’s needed or just to talk things through”

We asked Sarah why she wanted to volunteer and what being able to support others means to her

“I wanted to give back and help other people who are like I was as I know how daunting it can be to start exercising when you have no self confidence in yourself. I know I wouldn’t have achieved what I have so far without the support of others and being able to do the same for other people means the world to me”

Sen-Fit Couch to Ok group meet every Wednesday during term time at Shipley Park, Visitor Centre Carpark by the wheel at 09:30am.