Coronavirus: Drayton dance teacher in self-isolation starts Facebook workout group and raises cash to help those in need

Circuits, dancing, co-ordination and HIIT workouts are just some of the classes Jo Mitchell from Drayton is running via Facebook to help people get active during self-isolation due to Covid-19.

The mother of three is in isolation herself due to a cough but wanted to keep her mind and body well so decided to set up her own group on Tuesday and it now has more than 220 members.

The 42-year-old, who teaches dance at Court Lane Junior School, said: ‘I run a couple of classes a week usually but I thought 40 people in one room would not be safe right now so I thought I would try doing it over Facebook Live and do a few classes that way and now there is more than 220 members and people get involved with their children which is so good.

‘It is a great way to feel motivated and also less alone when you are self-isolated. I think also it gives kids the chance to run off energy and I found that it means they aren’t laying about on their phones because they do the exercise and then we do some maths and other things.

‘We have a chart on the wall with a routine which I think is so important when people are staying inside especially given we don’t know when the kids will be able to go back to school.’

The group and classes are free but Jo says she has been offered donations and is using the money to buy items for the Portsmouth Food Bank, run by The Trussell Trust.

She said: ‘People kept saying they wanted to pay for the workouts but I didn’t think that was right so I thought the money could go to people who are in need right now so I spoke to the food bank which is run at King’s Church in Southsea and with the donations I will be buying food that they need and giving it to the bank.

‘It is lovely that people are coming together at a time like this.’

The timetable for the group is:

- Monday, 10am: Mini circuit for all over toning- Monday, 6.30pm: Dance fitness class with ab blast

- Tuesday, 10am: Family ten minute brain booster coordination and wake up session

- Wednesday, 10am: Ab attack- Thursday, 10 am: Speed and agility

- Thursday, 7pm: Dance fitness class

- Friday, 10am: Piyo, mix of pilates and yoga

- Saturday, 10am: Circuit class

If you want to take part in Jo’s Home Workouts click here.