A personal trainer with a focus on mental health is offering free wellness walks and starting new 'adaptive exercise' classes.

Shane Affleck is on a mission to help people, not only to achieve their physical goals, but the mental implications that go with it.

After losing a lot of weight himself and seeing how it impacted him mentally, he wants to use his experience to support others to get fit.

Shane said: "Four years ago, I embarked on a journey of change, not only physically but mentally too. After losing nearly 10 stone and working through the struggles of fat loss, I felt the need to support others with change, so I qualified as a personal trainer specialising in fat loss and mental health support.

"It's taken a lot of confidence to get where I am right now as I do not 'fit the bill' as it were when you look at your average PT, but my desire to support others overrides this feeling.

"I have a private Facebook community where people offer tips, support and share their 'wins'. Everybody is amazing and supportive of each other, this week, we are even doing a cook a long live where I teach people how to cook their favourite takeaway with a fraction of the calories."

From June 9, Shane is also offering 'adaptive exercise' classes at St Swithun's Church hall.

He added: "I know only too well how hard it is to step into a gym environment for the first time, the idea of these classes is to introduce people to exercise without the intimidation that a gym environment often comes with.

"I am also hosting wellness walks to encourage people to come along to walk and talk. This is an open event and costs nothing. I want to create a community of support for those who need it."

The first wellness walk takes place this Saturday (May 28), Starting at the football club car park at 10.30am, the walk will be to West Bay and back along the river.

To find out more, join the Bigboybacon Army Recruits Facebook page.