Plymouth Heartbeat

Dominic Earl is pleased to share an exciting update with the sports community. Dominic, alongside a dedicated team of volunteers, has helped Plymouth Heartbeat expand its facilities and offer support to a wider range of individuals, including stroke patients and those with other disabilities. Plymouth Heartbeat is now a registered charity and health and fitness suite, focused on rehabilitating cardiac and stroke patients, promoting a healthy lifestyle, and preventing heart problems in the public.

The facility is entirely run by volunteers who have undergone comprehensive in-house training in healthy exercise techniques. Some of these volunteers hold level 2 or 3 fitness qualifications, BACPR qualifications, and are first aid trained, including the use of defibrillators. Dominic and his team are committed to creating a welcoming and motivating environment where members can achieve their personal fitness goals.

Membership at Plymouth Heartbeat is designed to be simple and affordable. First-time adult members pay a one-off fee of £12, which includes membership, a key fob for facility entry, and access to the gym. Annual adult membership is £10, with a session fee of £1.50. For those under 16, first-time membership is £5, and subsequent annual membership is £3, with a session fee of £1. Key fobs can be purchased for £1. Membership and parental consent forms for under 16s are available on the gym's website or can be collected at the facility if printing is not possible.

Plymouth Heartbeat began as a support group in 1993, founded by Barbara Luckham, a heart patient’s wife, and Valerie Fryer, a cardiac nurse. Back then, limited support was available for cardiac patients in Plymouth, forcing many to travel to London for treatment. Barbara and Valerie joined forces with Dominic Earl and Jackie Scobie, a couple more cardiac nurses, and registered Plymouth Heartbeat as a charity in 1994, in affiliation with the British Heart Foundation.

Initially meeting at Tothill Community Centre, Plymouth Heartbeat eventually found a more permanent location at Plymouth Argyle FC. The organisation focused on raising money to support cardiac patients on the hospital's cardiac wards. In 2000, Plymouth Heartbeat expanded its services to include exercise groups for cardiac patients and their caregivers. A grant from The Wolseley Trust in 2002 allowed the employment of a cardiac nurse and a BACR trainer for Phase IV rehabilitation. These exercise programmes led to further growth, enabling Plymouth Heartbeat to support a more diverse range of individuals in need.

Now celebrating 30 years of helping cardiac and stroke patients, and promoting overall health and fitness within the community, Dominic invites everyone to visit during open hours and participate in a celebratory event, which will be opened by Luke Pollard MP. The event will feature entertainment, games, a sponsored head shave, barbecue and refreshments, a raffle, face painting, and more. Raffle tickets are on sale, and those wishing to sell from a table during the event can inquire about limited available spaces.

Dominic highlights that Plymouth Heartbeat is closed on bank holidays as all volunteers are unpaid.