Hannah Watfa is the owner of Energise Pentney Health Club, near King’s Lynn. Here she explains how, thanks to a Refresh Reopen grant, they have created a beautiful outdoor space with Norfolk and Waveney Mind in mind
As owner of a health club, Hannah Watfa knows only too well that being outside and connecting with nature is a huge factor when it comes to feeling that bit better. With that in mind, the team at Energise Pentney Health Club in West Norfolk have created a beautiful outdoor space in support of Norfolk and Waveney Mind. And it’s all thanks to the help of a Refresh Reopen grant from King’s Lynn & West Norfolk Borough Council.
It comes at the end of a challenging year or so for the health club business, as Hannah, owner of Energise Pentney, along with her husband Tan, reflects: ‘When the pandemic first hit, leisure was among the first industries people were told to avoid, and not long after old to close. This left us, like everyone, in a complete state of panic, not knowing how it would affect our immediate and long term future, and like everyone, terrified of what was happening around us.
‘We’d taken over the health club in November 2018, signing the contract on exactly the same day that I went in to labour with our son – making us truly a family business! We’d made visible improvements, as well as behind the scenes, and things were just starting to fall in to place.
‘The forced pause of lockdown meant that we thought we might actually spend some time together as a young family, rather than working round the clock, but in reality, our work carried on at a faster pace than ever, as we undertook more improvements which we wouldn’t have been able to do whilst operating. Spending anything was terrifying, without knowing when, or how, we could reopen; if anyone would come back – but we’d made the decision that we had to make it work, whatever happened.
She adds: ‘Thankfully, we have a hugely supportive community of Members, who sent us encouraging messages, wrote us letters expressing how much coming here meant to them, and left us voicemails on the unmanned Reception phone to tell us how they longed to get back. It’s hard to explain how much that meant. The support reassured us that we had built something amazing, and we could, would, be back. We were grateful for the Government grants which contributed towards furloughing our amazing team, keeping up with maintenance and ongoing costs, and helped us see the lockdowns out.’
The launch of Revive Garden couldn’t have come at a better time. ‘We’re so delighted with the response to our Revive Garden, in partnership with Norfolk and Waveney Mind,’ says Hannah. ‘Not only did the Refresh Reopen Grant give us the opportunity to create more useable outdoor space for our members and guests, but it also allows us to raise awareness and funds to further the incredible mental health support that Norfolk and Waveney Mind offer. Being outside and connecting with nature is a huge contributor to feeling good; this space allows everyone to enjoy more of our beautiful countryside location, and our huge Norfolk skies.’
She adds: ‘As a Health Club, our focus is truly on wellness in both body and mind; this grant has allowed us to further that ethos, so we’re extremely grateful for the borough council’s support, without which we wouldn’t have been able to achieve this fantastic outdoor space.’
More than 140 businesses in West Norfolk have benefited from more than £667,000 in Refresh Reopen grants administered by the borough council.
Cllr Graham Middleton, Deputy Leader and Cabinet member for Business, Culture and Heritage, who opened the new Revive Garden this week, says: ‘I’m very pleased to have been invited to Energise Pentney to see what they have created from nearly £7,000 awarded through the Refresh Reopen grant. The grant helps businesses with outdoor adaptations, diversifications, and shop frontage work.
‘Owners Hannah and Tan have created a peaceful and beautiful outdoor space for members and guests to enjoy. It’s wonderful to see that it also benefits local charity Norfolk and Waveney Mind.’
I look forward to visiting, sitting in the garden and reconnecting with nature once more
Alex Wiseman, Partnerships Coordinator
Alex Wiseman, Partnerships Coordinator at Norfolk and Waveney Mind, adds: ‘We are so grateful for companies like Energise Pentney Health Club supporting us. We, as a charity, survive solely on the generosity of donations and fundraising. The space Hannah has created is wonderful and I look forward to visiting, sitting in the garden and reconnecting with nature once more.’
Visit Energise Pentney Health Club and Norfolk and Waveney Mind
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