Stoke-on-Trent children’s gym celebrates 20 years after supporting more than a quarter of a million children in Staffordshire

Founded by Yvonne Shuttleworth, the educational gym has spent the last two
decades helping children build confidence, co-ordination, social skills and healthy
habits through movement, learning and structured play, while continually evolving to meet the changing needs of children and parents alike.

Balance & Beam has become a familiar part of childhood for generations of Staffordshire families, with former members now bringing their own children to
classes.

One of those former members is Stephen Clarkson, who now brings his own
children, Finley and Oscar, to sessions at Balance & Beam.

Stephen said: “Gymnastics at Balance & Beam was a pivotal part of my childhood,
teaching me discipline, confidence and resilience all whilst having fun. The thrill of
perfecting new skills whilst being in a class full of my friends created memories I’ve kept to this day.”

“Now, as a parent myself, I decided to bring my own children to Balance & Beam
because I wanted them to experience the same joy and growth that I did. It’s a place where they can develop strength, coordination and self-esteem in a supportive environment, whilst learning important life lessons and having fun.”

The lasting impact of Balance & Beam can also be seen within its own team, with
five current staff members first attending sessions there as children themselves, including Bella, Macy, Bekah, Freya and Libbie.

Assistant Coach Libbie first attended Balance & Beam when she was four years old
and now helps inspire the next generation of children in the gym. She said:

“When I first started at Balance & Beam, I was so shy that I had to be
carried into my first session. Coming to classes helped me build confidence, develop physical skills and make friendships that stayed with me as I grew up.”

“Years later, I came back to volunteer before becoming part of the coaching team
because I wanted to help inspire children in the same way the coaches inspired me.”

Founder Yvonne Shuttleworth said she has seen huge changes in children over the
last 20 years, particularly around attention spans, confidence and screen use. She said:

“What a difference 20 years makes. Many children today are surrounded by constant digital distraction and we’re seeing the impact that can have on focus, confidence and social development.”

“When we talk about paying attention, what we’re really talking about is the ability to sit, focus and listen, skills that are essential for children to be able to learn and develop throughout their lives.”

With many parents increasingly concerned about screen time, focus and confidence in young children, Balance & Beam believes its classes are more important than ever. Through structured, coach-led activities, the team helps children develop essential life skills including listening, concentration, co-ordination, confidence and social interaction, all within a fun, active and supportive environment.

Twenty years after opening its doors, Balance & Beam continues to welcome hundreds of children every week and is currently at its highest-ever membership levels, reflecting growing demand from Staffordshire families for structured, active and educational children’s activities.

Recently, the team has expanded its offering to support more local families, including growing demand for SEN sessions and newer programmes such as Baby Yoga & Massage.

Founder Yvonne said:

“We are constantly evolving our sessions to meet the changing needs of children today and ensure every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, develop and most importantly have fun.”

“Over the last 20 years, we’ve seen hundreds of thousands of children grow in confidence, build friendships and achieve things they never thought possible. That’s what makes Balance & Beam so special.”

As part of their anniversary celebrations, the team is also raising money for Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital through a special anniversary charity t-shirt initiative, with 50% of sales donated to the charity.

To donate to Balance & Beam’s fundraiser for Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital: https://www.justgiving.com/page/balance-and-beam-bch

To find out more: https://www.balanceandbeam.co.uk/