Our Mission
We believe that physically disabled people have the right to exercise in an accessible, safe and fun environment. Exercise has a number of physical and mental health benefits, this is no different for disabled people than it is for anybody else. With a focus on these positive benefits we want to create a gym atmosphere rather than a clinical atmosphere, whether this is in our online content or at our premises in Newcastle.
When we first opened our doors in 2018, under the name Pop-Up Gym, there was nowhere else in the north of England that provided a gym environment specifically for people with spinal cord injuries and other physical disabilities. In the short time that we have been trading, we have helped over one hundred people with various physical disabilities, to exercise, and our mission is to continue and grow.
“I can either sit at home and watch Homes Under The Hammer…
or I can go out and try and do something”
Staff
Louise qualified from Northumbria University as a Physiotherapist in 2004. She has worked in both the NHS and private sector and specialises in neurological rehabilitation working with people recovering from spinal cord injuries, strokes, Parkinsons disease, brain injuries and learning difficulties. She uses her skills as a Pilates instructor and an acupuncturist to offer a wide variety of treatment options to her clients.
Louise is a Mam of two, a wife and fur mammy to a crazy Labradoodle and loves to spend time outdoors with them.
Louise
Physio
In July 2021 Abbie’s life totally changed overnight when she was admitted to hospital. Abbie then went on to spend 4 months in hospital and then discharged with no support in place. The first year was extremely difficult and challenging and tested her determination in coming to terms with her new diagnosis. Every day was extremely challenging and now looking back she realises what a strong person she is to have overcome that first year. Abbie is now a full-time wheelchair user with many other health complications but she will not let this stop her from building a new/different life for herself. Abbie was unsure how she would achieve this but she soon realised that she would have to find a new way of living.
This is where it all changed, In January 2023 Abbie discovered Newcastle Barbarians wheelchair rugby team, what a fantastic team they are. They welcomed Abbie as a new team member and offered her the support which she needed and she soon realised that there was hope after such a life changing event. As part of the team’s strength and conditioning training program they had access to Gym Possible. As a previous gym user prior to her illness Abbie was extremely unsure about accessing a gym as wheelchair user, but with the support of her new team she thought let’s give it a go. Wow Gym Possible was not like any other gym!! All accessible equipment and a community who understands what challenges you face.
Abbie had the opportunity to attend the Matt Hampson Get Busy Living Centre, what an experience that was, the whole team felt like a new family, they designed a rehabilitation package for the time she spent with them and they worked on some goals which they set together. The accommodation at the centre is 5 and this made Abbie realise that people do care and with the right support everyone can build a new life for themselves.
Abbie now feels ready to share her story and experiences with others and help and support Gym Possible and the Matt Hampson foundation to help others to #getbusyliving
Abbie
Ambassador
Trustees
In the past 40 years Gary enjoyed a fruitful career in the Motor Trade. Mainly working for family run dealerships Gary performed a number of roles from Sales to eventually becoming MD. He also has represented globally recognised brands at national and international level. Finally, after having his own garage Gary retired in 2015.
Drews accident in 2014 became a life changing event for all close to him. Along with his wife and family Gary was heavily involved in supporting Drew through his recovery in the USA,
witnessing first hand how having access to amazing facilities and equipment became vital to help Drew stabilise and adapt to his injuries.Since Drews return to the UK in 2016 Gary has worked in helping Gym Possible to move from the idea stage to what it is today, continuing with the ethos that every disabled person should have access to a gym. 7 years on I am still proud to be a member of the Gym Possible team and even more proud to be Drews Dad.
Gary Graham
Trustee
Matt initially started his career working within HR before transitioning into Recruitment / Talent Acquisition. The majority of his career has been spent working within the North East Tech sector where he has worked for a variety of different organisations, from SMEs to global corporate companies.
Matt has been involved in athletics since a young age and has known Drew and his family since joining Gosforth Harriers in 1995. Matt and Drew trained and raced together for many years becoming good friends. One of his favourite memories was them finishing 1st and 2nd in Northern Indoor Championships over 800m (Drew coming out on top with his usual trademark finish). Matt went on to compete at a national level and retired from competitive athletics in 2014 due to injury.
Hearing of Drew’s accident was a huge shock, and it opened Matt’s eyes to some of the challenges faced by disabled people daily, including the lack of truly accessible facilities in the UK. He has supported several fundraising efforts since Drew’s accident and was honoured to be invited to push Drew around the 2023 Great North Run to raise money for Gym Possible. Following this he was privileged to be invited to become a Trustee and is committed to supporting Drew and the team in making exercise accessible to everyone no matter what their needs. He is also grateful to Drew for inspiring him to exercise again and to live a healthier lifestyle after several years of inactivity!
Matt Nicholson
Trustee
Jonathan is Drew’s older brother. With an age difference of only 1 year, most interests were shared growing up. Running was no different. Jonathan trained and competed alongside Drew throughout their teenage years at Gosforth Harriers, always maintaining a healthy balance between respect and rivalry… most of the time anyway!
Having visited Drew in the US multiple times during the months after his accident, Jonathan saw first-hand the skills and specialist equipment available to people both recovering from and living with spinal cord injuries. Since Drew returnedto the UK and the initial idea for the charity was born,Jonathan has been part of the GymPossible journey. Still a keen runner to this day, he was part of the fundraising team that pushed Drew round the 2023 Great North Run.As a trustee, Jonathan brings skills in strategic planning and managing complex projects. His career started at Sainsbury’s Head Office in London where, over time he progressed to management level and was responsible for the Location Planning department. A dual desire to enter the tech sector and move back to the North-East led to him becoming Managing Director of a small Software-as-a-Service business, which he ran successfully for four years. Jonathan now works a Product Management consultant, helping central government and private sector clients deliver user-centred software in an agile way.
Jonathan Graham
Trustee
Michael has had a varied and interesting career. He served in the Royal Navy and had the opportunity to travel all over the world. After leaving the Navy Michael worked as a sales director in print management. He also supported his family when they were running a hospitality business in Northumberland of which he has plenty fond memories.
Michael currently volunteers for the Newcastle Barbarians wheelchair rugby team as a technician, he supports the team on a weekly basis and also travels with them whilst they compete in national tournaments.
Michael is a keen runner and loves working out in the gym and loves to watch a good game of rugby.
Michael will be supporting Drew and the team with the day to day running of the gym and is looking forward to helping each and every member achieve their goals and ensuring exercise is accessible for all.
Michael Potts
Trustee
Clare has had a varied career over the past 30 years where she has worked in local government implementing change in working practices. Clare and her family owned and ran a very busy hospitality business in the heart of Hadrian’s Wall country. Clare found this was extremely enjoyable but could be very challenging at times, running a business and balancing family life.
Clare is extremely passionate about keeping fit and enjoys cycling, running, working out in the gym and walking her dogs. She currently volunteers with Newcastle Barbarians wheelchair rugby team, which involves helping and supporting the team in weekly training sessions and tournaments.
Clare feels extremely privileged to be one of the Gym Possible trustees where she will play an instrumental part in helping and supporting Drew and the team to move the charity forward to expand on the gyms current offering and making exercise accessible for all.
Clare Potts
Trustee
Since a young age Ryan has been involved in athletics and competed against Drew in the age group events in various North East athletics events on the track. Ryan went on to become a two time British Half Marathon Champion in 2014 and 2015 representing Great Britain at various World and European Championships. He retired from competitive running in 2016 and now lives in Morpeth with his family whilst still keeping active with running and football. He runs multiple businesses in web design, e-commerce, buying/selling supercars and is a landlord refurbishing rental properties.
When Ryan heard of Drew’s accident it was a real shock. After visiting him at his home in Denver Colorado in 2015 it really opened his eyes to the daily challenges Drew faced and what an amazing human he was the way he was dealing with his life changing injury and making the most of the Craig Hospital facilities in the the USA.
Since Drew returned to the UK, Ryan has been supportive of Gym Possible in attending the gym fundraising and special events. The specialist environment and training opportunities Drew has provided its users really makes a massive difference both mentally and physically for everyone. What Drew is doing for the community is unbelievable, and every major city needs a Gym Possible!
Ryan was honoured to be part of the team of friends pushing Drew in the 2023 Great North Run helping raise £14,000 for the gym. The well needed funds raised are now helping springboard Gym Possible into the future. Following the 2023 GNR Ryan was invited to become a Gym Possible trustee which he gladly accepted.
Ryan McLeod
Trustee
Making Exercise Accessible