Community-minded Sam hosts keep fit classes in her Leeds street during the Covid-19 lockdown

Sam Peters-Esterine, 45, a community engagement co-ordinator with GESPIR (Grassroots Enterprise for Social Inclusion and Poverty Relief), took it upon herself to host outdoor keep-fit classes to help lift the spirits of her neighbours in Hawksworth.

She is among those who have already shared their experience with the COVID Diaries project - launched by Leeds City Council, developer CEG and the Yorkshire Evening Post to capture the living history of the coronavirus pandemic in Leeds.

She said: "I was just feeling a bit lethargic and down in the dumps one day and thought 'why not stand out in the street and do some exercise?'

"When I'd go out on a Thursday and see people clapping, it's such a nice feeling, to see your neighbours all out. I thought it would be nice to spread some joy and get everyone out doing some exercise in the week."

After initially enlisting the support of neighbour and friend Donna Lucas, the classes soon began attracting interest and now involve 10 neighbours and are held three times a week.

Sam, who has been a volunteer worker for over 25 years, said: "It started off with me and Donna for the first couple of days. People were driving past and beeping and my neighbours were looking at us like we were mad but they started coming over and asking what we were doing. I just said I fancied doing some exercise and if they wanted to join in, they could."

She said people have told her the classes help them feel more connected to the community and added: "They love it, absolutely love it."

For more information on the COVID Diaries project, visit www.coviddiaries.co.uk.

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