North East accessible fitness specialist celebrates “phenomenal growth” in 2021 as it looks ahead to future plans

The Tailored Leisure Company (TLC) and their award-winning formula for accessible fitness sessions have benefited from “phenomenal growth” in 2021, with the support of partners including the Foundation of Light, Sunderland City Council and Headway Wearside.

Based in South Tyneside, but working across the North East, TLC is a client led social enterprise making a stand for access in the region and was launched by director Tara Johnson due to her own experiences of living with cerebral palsy.

Tara said: “Partnership has been a key element of our growth over the last year, the amount of new project partnerships in 2021 have been truly phenomenal and have proven there is a strong demand and gap in the market for our services.

“This time last year was a very uncertain time for the company, but our determination and commitment to the accessible fitness formula has paid off substantially.

“2021 was just the tip of the iceberg for the company and we have so many exciting projects and developments in the pipeline, we really can’t wait to announce these shortly and see the social impact created.”

Tailored Leisure Company director Tara Johnson and her daughter Molly.

TLC has committed to developing accessible opportunities to “get fit, have fun and relax with as little stress as possible” and is passionate about “overcoming the barriers and social exclusion faced by disabled people”.

Led by regional research, the company attracted the attention of numerous national funders over the year to run a host of accessible fitness projects, many of which were conducted virtually.

2021 saw TLC announce funding success and a new delivery partnership with the Foundation of Light, the official charity of Sunderland AFC.

Funding success with Sunderland City Council followed as a result of a call out for innovative projects to support the city to reduce health inequalities and to support residents to improve their health and wellbeing.