“I am well thanks and I have been enjoying the SafeFit sessions. They have enabled me to feel stronger and more active than I would otherwise have been during my chemotherapy treatment.”

“I have been thoroughly enjoying the sessions, thank you; XXX is very good at her job.  She has a holistic approach to the student taking in the psychological and emotional elements of exercise as well as the practical side.  It is a shame that the sessions have to tail off, though I understand that three sessions a week is rather self-indulgent!”

“I am well thanks and I have been enjoying the SafeFit sessions. They have enabled me to feel stronger and more active than I would otherwise have been during my chemotherapy treatment.”

“I just wanted to add that I am thoroughly enjoying Safe-Fit and have felt so much stronger and less tired as a result (I am also sleeping so much better). I have also managed to lose 12 lbs since the beginning of the year (this is unfortunately not reflected in the time periods given in the questionnaire as I put on weight about 4 months ago). It has enabled me to focus on my health and recovery from treatment, and allowed me to feel in much better control of my health going forward. I have a lovely instructor, XXX., who has been so encouraging and introduced me to types of exercise I would never have considered and also showing me that I am capable of more intense exercise than I had imagined. I feel confident that undertaking Safe-Fit has helped my recovery to the extent I now expect to be able to return to work next month - one month earlier than originally planned.  I am so grateful to have been accepted into the Safe-Fit study as it really has been so beneficial to me.”

“Also, thank-you for letting me join the trial, it has really helped. I’ve been going through Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy over the past 3 months, so it’s been a real rollercoaster for me. It’s really helped being on the trial and my trainer XXX had been so supportive and really amazing.”

“I just wanted to take an opportunity to note how extremely beneficial I feel this programme is for me in terms of my physical and emotional health.  My PT XXX is absolutely outstanding in terms of her ability to understand my prognosis, build an exercise plan which is truly benefitting me in terms of gaining physical strength and my confidence to be able to exercise safely.  Her understanding, pace-setting, professionalism, experience and motivational ability is absolutely awe inspiring.    I am feeling so much stronger, fitter and confident in my ability to exercise, and in the benefits of it in terms of my cancer prognosis, after just 3 months of this programme.  This is having a knock-on effect in terms of my emotional health as well.  If there is anything more that I can do in terms of giving testimonials or recommendations please let me know.”

“I have completed all the 3 months forms, but would like to add how beneficial my sessions have been with my trainer, to my overall fitness and strength, weight loss and positive focus, when I have be unable to access other forms of exercise. I have lost a considerable amount of weight and the PT sessions have focused me and given me a way of reporting in how I am progressing. I have improved my core strength which is helping me to mange some long term side effects of the surgeries I have had.”

“I have just got to the end of my second week of sessions with XXX (who is brilliant). And I’m feeling really positive and upbeat about getting back to exercising in a safe and supported way after a long and difficult time in my life.  I wanted to say a massive heartfelt thank you for this opportunity.    I couldn’t have come at a better time for me, and i am so grateful.”

“After having surgery for breast cancer during lockdown, I was trying to do physio exercises on my own, without much success so the Safefit classes helped me exercise safely in my own home. My body has been through so much debilitating treatment over the past 18 months, and the classes have helped me gain a good range of movement with my arm, as well as strengthening my joints (which hardly hurt at all now). I really enjoy the sessions with XXX, who is very motivational and has helped me rehabilitate, physically & mentally, from exhausting cancer treatment”.

“I have been enjoying it very much thank you.  My strength has improved a lot and I am now using the gym regularly, which I wouldn't have done if it wasn't for XXX and the programme he has built for me.”

“Thank you so much for pairing me up with the lovely XXX. Whilst I was slightly concerned I was taking a place of someone who really needed this more than me as I’m active, but with lots of knee issues.   I have just completed my 1st month and she has worked wonders with my joints. She is so knowledgeable and notices everything I may not get quite right and tells me how to stretch/exercise properly.   She has made such a difference.   I lost about 12lbs in the 1st 2 weeks. Not sure of the exact amount as my scales broke on the morning I started! Documenting everything I eat has worked wonders! Once again, thank you so much. I just need to keep it up now I’m not going to be seeing XXX so often.”

“I am enjoying SafeFit very much indeed and am very grateful to be given the opportunity to take part. I feel it has been central to my recovery following active treatment for breast cancer. My instructor has been kind, helpful, respectful, friendly and professional. My main priority at the beginning of the trial was to feel stronger and I have certainly achieved that over the past 3 months. Feeling physically stronger has also made me feel stronger and more confident mentally and emotionally. I am certain that I would not be making such a good recovery without SafeFit. I love it so much and have recommended it to other people living with cancer whom I've come into contact with as well as my medical team and charitable organisations such as Maggies. I honestly think the SafeFit processes should be integral to cancer treatment right from the point of diagnosis. I asked for something like it right from the start as I didn't feel physically fit for the onslaught of treatment I was about to undergo but nothing was available. I think the 'whole person' approach which SafeFit provides would've been very helpful in giving a sense of progress throughout treatment.”

“I just wanted to give you an update for the three months I’ve been on the trial.  Working with XXX has been brilliant. He has a really good understanding of my abilities, and has been able to set exercises to increase them. I don’t know what the question you ask will show, but, I can now get down onto the floor, and up again without any help. I can get up off the sofa with out using my hands to push myself up, the same with dining room chairs. My recovery from hard days at work is quicker, and I’ve been able to start doing things outside of work, I’m not just going home and collapsing on the sofa for the night. I’m now cooking at home two nights a week, I didn’t have the energy to do so before.   I’m just very glad I saw this trial, and was accepted on it.”

“I am enjoying SafeFit very much indeed and am very grateful to be given the opportunity to take part. I feel it has been central to my recovery following active treatment for breast cancer. My instructor has been kind, helpful, respectful, friendly and professional. My main priority at the beginning of the trial was to feel stronger and I have certainly achieved that over the past 3 months. Feeling physically stronger has also made me feel stronger and more confident mentally and emotionally. I am certain that I would not be making such a good recovery without SafeFit. I love it so much and have recommended it to other people living with cancer whom I've come into contact with as well as my medical team and charitable organisations such as Maggies. I honestly think the SafeFit processes should be integral to cancer treatment right from the point of diagnosis. I asked for something like it right from the start as I didn't feel physically fit for the onslaught of treatment I was about to undergo but nothing was available. I think the 'whole person' approach which SafeFit provides would've been very helpful in giving a sense of progress throughout treatment.”

“I've found that being part of the trial has been a very positive thing.  My activity, as measured by my fitbit,  has increased significantly which can only be positive.  I've attached a photo to show you how much.  There's an element of seasonality, but I think its a genuine increase as well. I'm walking more, swimming 1km 2-3 times a week now that the local pool has reopened, and sometimes going out on my bike.  And aiming to do the strength routine which Fidelma gave me a couple of times a week.  The biggest benefit for me is that I have got the fatigue under control, with XXX’s help.  I managed to babysit my 10 month old granddaughter for 5 days last week, 7am to 6pm, to get her doctor parents through a childcare crisis (nursery staff had tested positive for COVID so the nursery had to close).  As well as the actual childcare, this involved driving 5 hours each way. I wouldn't have had the stamina for that before being involved in the trial.”

“The sessions I have been having with XXX have been absolutely brilliant and have helped me exercise more regularly, feel more motivated and cope better with isolation (I was Shielding during all the lockdown periods and I live alone).  It is a real pleasure to exercise with her and our sessions have also greatly helped my mood, especially as I adjust to my new Ibrutinib drug regime.    I certainly feel a little fitter than I did after Christmas and before I started the SafeFit Trial.  I still have more to do though and need to work on remembering/motivating myself to exercise every day! Also just wanted to say (as it wasn’t covered in the questionnaires) how brilliant my trainer XXX is - supportive and very professional but also really kind and empathetic and generally lovely.  I cannot begin to say how much of a difference her support has made to me over the past few months.”

“The trial has been amazing. Helped me in so many ways- mentally and physically. It has honestly saved me from a very dark place after myactive treatment and I am so grateful to XXX for that. I do miss having the weekly input now, I must say. But very grateful for the input so far and it is forcing me to take charge of my own health.“

“I'd just like to say how beneficial I found the scheme. Ideally it would be 9 mths or a block of sessions that we can use to our timings. Thank you so much for the opportunity to take part. There is no doubt it has aided my recovery. At no point have any of my medical team mentioned the importance of exercise of healthy diet during any of my treatment, which I find astonishing, given how much both can help reduce the risk of it re-occuring. If you ever need an advocate, case study or someone to support you publicly in your trial/promoting the results, I'm happy to be involved.”

“I’ve just completed my questionnaires, but wanted to add some comments to them. This program has been fantastic. My goal when I set out was to safely regain mobility in my shoulder after a mastectomy last March, and I have achieved this and so much more. I feel fitter than I have been in 10 years, maybe more, and feel comfortable and confident in continuing the exercise program that XXX set out for me. If you’d told me this time last year I could do 30 sit-ups every day, I would have laughed in your face. This has put me in a very good position for my adjuvant surgery (removal of ovaries) which took place yesterday, and I am sure I will recover much more quickly as a consequence.”

“I’m doing really well thanks and I have really enjoyed taking part in the SafeFit trial.  It was exactly what I needed and I can’t stress enough how beneficial it has been for me.  Thank you to you and the team.”

“I have today completed my 12 month follow up return in respect of the Safefit Trial.  I note that that return is very analytical and does not allow for written qualitative feedback, and so I hope that this email is accepted as evidence of the benefit this trial has brought to me as an individual. I was diagnosed with Advanced Prostate Cancer in April 2017 when at the time I was training quite hard with a view to competing in British Masters Athletics.  I wanted to continue exercising but was unable to find anyone who could, or would, support me.  After 3 years of trying I had come to the conclusion that undertaking exercise in the way I had hoped was no longer going to be possible, until through a series of random events I was introduced to Safefit and XXX, who linked me up with XXX. XXX’s support was second to none and safely took me from being someone who before our meeting walked for exercise, to being able to undertake a broad range of cardio, strength and core exercises.  From being someone who was experiencing significant muscle wastage and much reduced muscle strength, I am now at least ½ stone lighter in weight, have significantly improved muscle strength and tone and now “train” on a regular basis to continue to improve my health.  My overall health has significantly improved and the side effects of my treatment (tiredness, hot flushes etc) are significantly reduced. Without Safefit I doubt that this would have been possible, and so I hope that Safefit is able to continue post Covid to support others in the same position as I found myself in.  I would also like to thank Safefit for linking me with XXX for whom I have the greatest respect and appreciation for her input and what she has enabled and supported me to achieve.”

“I also want to thank you for the trail.  It has been fantastic and I now regularly exercise and really enjoy it for the first time ever!  XXX was a brilliant and kind PT who supported me so well through some tricky times.  I now have an exercise routine I keep up as I continue to recover.”

“I have filled out my forms and just wanted to add how instrumental the Safe Fit Trial has been in my recovery.   I was matched with a wonderful coach, XXX, and she has been able to provide me with a very personalised mix of psychological, nutritional, and exercise support that has gone far beyond the more generalized sources of post-surgery recovery.  In my case, I just needed to fine-tune my nutrition and exercise (which I know are more significant issues with other patients), with the bulk of the support being physiological, having to recover from a difficult experience with my oncologist and worries about secondary cancer.  I found that XXX and the Safe Fit Trial were flexible enough to accommodate my individual needs, which has helped me enormously.    I fully support these sessions being offered to other NHS patients in the future.”

“SafeFit has been UNBELIEVABLE!! I feel like I've gained so much from it. I'm not quite a year post active treatment, and I really feel like I'm in quite a resilient place. I was already pretty good on food/nutrition awareness etc, but what I really feel I've gained, is in self compassion, acceptance, goal setting, reframing setbacks, self efficacy, AND the workouts themselves have been so much fun. I wanted to work on how tight and 'toxic' my fascia felt, post chemo/hormone treatment and I really have! Also building strength and stamina back up. I've run before I could walk several times, but that's been an opportunity for reflection, learning, and reseting goals! Couch to 5k was too intense (if you can believe that! I was soooooo frustrated) but I'm using a fat burning walking interval programme and the intensity feels just right and could be a stepping stone to couch to 5k.... and that's been the product of the coaching conversations that I've had with my trainer (who is just freaking AWESOME). I felt and feel encouraged, believed in, heard, valued, understood, supported. I will be starting a part time diploma in September, just over a year after end of treatment. I truly believe this wouldn't have been possible without the support of SafeFit.”

“I started this trial whilst I was in the first stages of a third line of treatment. Its been a real life-line during what has been a real rollercoaster with some weeks being quite tough to deal with. Firstly, my trainer XXX was skilful and had the knowledge to discern what was suitable and workable for me in terms of exercise at any one time. She gave me the confidence to try exercises I might not have known were safe and changed these where they became less suitable for my situation or to hold my interest. This made the programme enjoyable to do. She was flexible and responsive to my situation and gave me a lot of encouragement to do what was manageable for me in fast changing circumstances. That consequently gave me the motivation I needed to keep going within the the limits of my energy levels when I might otherwise have given up. This has also meant that although I lost some of my fitness during a real marathon of a line of treatment in which I was very unwell for 3 weeks in the middle, I didn't go backwards as much as I might have done and a month after treatment has finished I'm well on my way back to a reasonably good level of fitness. The support I've received has made a real difference to me physically. It has also helped improve my morale and enhanced my sense of well-being. This is a very worthwhile initiative and I'm grateful for the opportunity to take part in it.”

“I would like to say that I have been very impressed with the trial and my 'instructor' XXX has been a marvel. I have lost weight, vastly improved my fitness and my mental attitude towards exercise!! All because of her. She has been an absolute star and I cannot thank her enough.”

“I would really like to emphasis the benefit I have gain through participation in the study and the work with my instructor XXX. My main objectives of study participation was to increase my overall fitness, core strength and to support my living well with secondary breast cancer. Also if and when I need further treatment, I will be fitter and healthier to deal with treatment toxicity and side effects. One other aim was to improve my pelvic floor as, bladder urgency and leakage has been an ongoing problem since I have been taking hormone treatments and undergoing an hysterectomy as part of my breast cancer management. I have tried several methods of improving my pelvic floor, from physio exercises and the NHS Squeezy app, both had no impact.  From my first session with XXX, she built up a programme to gradually improve and develop my pelvic floor and explained it in such an easy way, it has significantly improved my quality of life and taken away a lot of the panic associated with access to toilets .  Along side improving my overall fitness, I embarked on an eating plan, based around reducing the amount I ate and cutting out sugars and unhealthy carbs, along side the exercise programme. I have lost around 2.5 stone which I gained over the last 15 years since my breast cancer diagnosis, this has had a significant effect on my quality of life and confidence. XXX has offered invaluable advice, support and encouragement through this process, that has been invaluable in achieving my current weight and fitness. I have spent my nursing career in oncology, treating and support individuals with cancer as well as developing services and know that exercise and fitness has never been given the profile it requires in prevention and managing cancer and treatment side effects. I would also like to stress that at no time has any health care professional told me I was overweight and needed to lose weight, even though there is evidence of the like between weight and breast cancer recurrence. But I am also not convinced that health care Professionals are the best people to support cancer patients with weight, fitness and exercise, as it is not their expertise. In a perfect health care system, fitness experts should be an integral  part of cancer services. Sorry for rambling on, but I feel quite passionate about this and if there is any way I can help by adding my voice, please get in touch.”

“I am loving the SafeFit sessions and finding them very beneficial. My trainer XXX is fantastic and I couldn’t be happier than to have been matched to her. She really keeps me motivated and I am definitely feeling fitter and more positive as a result of our sessions. I can’t believe I’m on week 12 already and a bit sad if I’m honest that the sessions have now gone down to once a month. I will however try to stay motivated and continue with my exercises.  I definitely think the sessions would be beneficial to other patients in a similar position as myself.”

“I really enjoyed the trial, XXX is great, she has helped me alot, especially around build muscle (very weak legs!) stretching and a short exercise routine. Eating is very difficult for me, i probably have improved as much as i should, but i do know what i should be doing! the trial motivated me into a walking plan that i stick to, i had a goal of walking up a mountain, which i did. so now i have more goals, we are going on a walking  / driving tour of Scotland next week. Thank you so much to everyone in the trial it's such an important thing for us with cancer to be able to take some control over our health.”

“I cannot express how much I have gained, and continue to gain, from SafeFit; my personal coach/trainer/counsellor XXX has been wonderfully supportive and informative and I have sought out a gym locally to continue to practise the fitness routine; something I would never have done without XXX and the programme reinforcing the importance of movement and strength to continuing recovery.”

“I just wanted to pass on how valuable I have found the trial so far and how much I would recommend it to others. I don't know if the questionnaires will capture very much in terms of change or improvement for me, but so many of my answers are confounded by where in my treatment I am at, the impact (or otherwise) or chemo etc. I have now finished chemo, and therefore many of the physical side-effects have gone, but I am awaiting surgery tomorrow, which means I have been told to be in complete isolation and I am worried about it.  Having the exercise classes scheduled has definitely helped throughout chemo. It would have made a difference if they had started at the beginning of chemo, rather than several weeks later. I think it would have made more noticeable a change physically and on questionnaires, but it definitely helped. It helped me to feel like there was something practical I was doing for myself. It helped to have something planned so that I stuck to it and I did it even when I didn't really fancy it. And XXX, my PT, was lovely, so it helped just to have a cheerful face checking in.   Thank you, and good luck with the trial. I cannot on my own prove it, but my consultants have been impressed by how well I handled chemo and I have kept going with work and life throughout. I am certain keeping physically active helped and being part of the trial was part of what kept me active.”

“There wasn't anywhere to comment on the surveys, but I wanted to say what a difference SafeFit has made to me. When I began, I was struggling with joint pain and various other issues as a side-effect of endocrine therapy, and wasn't sure if I could or should keep up exercise. XXX’s ability to adapt the programme to my progress or changes in side-effects encouraged me both in sessions and in exercising outside the sessions, and her incredibly supportive and friendly attitude made it all feel so much easier.”

“As this is the six month mark I thought I should feed back now that I think SafeFit is AMAZING! I've written more along those lines in the questionnaire which asks about it but I believe very strongly that something similar should be offered to everyone with a cancer diagnosis.“ Finally I also wanted to say how fantastic XXX, the personal trainer I was matched with, is. She has honestly made such a huge difference to my recovery :) “

“I will be having my week 12 call tomorrow on the safefit trial with paired trainer XXX and just wanted to drop a message to offer some feedback and thanks  Whilst I do have some worries about my ability to keep motivated as  I step away from the weekly contact I have so much appreciation for the progress which participation in this trial has enabled me to achieve.  The 12 weeks didn't start smoothly with having to take an enforced health break after only 2 week however since I restarted XXX has provided me with the perfect amount of challenge and support.   I have been able to get back into a really postive exercise routine and, by bringing variety and adaptation to exercises, XXX has stepped me through increasing levels of work. I may not yet be back to my pre Covid level of fitness and gym confidence but her responses to my gradual development has kept me interested and motivated.  Emotionally I feel so much better ( exercise has always been a great mood lifter for me) and I have definitely improved my strength and condition.  From an absolute measurable health perspective my resting heart rate has reduced a couple of points and more importantly,taking this return to exercise together with some lifestyle changes by me, my blood pressure levels have reduced to a normal range level. This has meant that BP medication which I had been prescribed in February after a prolonged inactivity period have now been stopped by my GP. For someone with secondary cancer who has multiple other meds to take this has felt a huge achievement.  This is all rounded off by me having also reduced my weight by 4kg since the time I was originally onboarded to the trial. Weight was never a huge factor for me but how I feel in my clothes does and that has improved.   Apologies for the long winded message but I wanted to let you know what a fantastic job XXX has done and I just have to now try to do my part in this challenge of keeping up the good work over the coming months! Many thanks for providing me with the opportunity to have this support on my journey.”

“Can I just pass on how amazing XXX has been please? She is hugely knowledgeable, very encouraging & adapts to the various tweaks & hurdles along the way. The programme is brilliant. I now exercise 3 times a week & actually enjoy it 😃 Exercise has become a healthy mechanism for managing my mood. Thank you for this opportunity. I really hope it becomes a standard part of cancer care.”

“I am well thanks and I have been enjoying the SafeFit sessions. They have enabled me to feel stronger and more active than I would otherwise have been during my chemotherapy treatment.”

“I've really enjoyed it and it has done me the world of good so I'm very pleased and grateful to have been part of it.I was very well matched with XXX and she was extremely supportive and helpful.”

“I would also like to add that I have thoroughly enjoyed every single session of the SafeFitTrial. My instructor XXX is a truly amazing lady. She has been beyond supportive both physically and emotionally and I could not have asked for a better person to be matched with. She really has helped me get some form of fitness back and encouraged me to continue looking after my well being moving forward. I feel she has gone above and beyond and feel very privileged to have been supported by her during the last 6 months. I actually felt quite sad at our last session as I felt we developed a connection, but all good things must come to an end I suppose. Please do pass on my sincere thanks to XXX. I am sure any future participants will find her as amazing as I did.    Finally, I would like to thank everyone involved in the trial for giving me this opportunity to take part and would highly recommend it for people like me who have been through a cancer diagnosis and treatment.“

“Thank you for your email. I am doing alright (I think!) The weekly zoom exercise sessions are really helping, both for my improving physical fitness, emotionally and mentally and I have to say I did not think it would have as big an impact on me, but I am so glad because I feel so much better than I did at the point when I started the programme. I am still struggling with getting my weight down, but because I know I am getting physically fitter through the zoom sessions, it's not getting me down mentally as it had been doing before I started. Can I also mention how wonderful the fitness instructor XXX is? She has been consistently brilliant, helpful and a joy to exercise with. Thank you so much for hooking me up with such a fantastic instructor.”

“Safefit has been brilliant. Being matched with XXX was great fit for me. She was very knowledgeable and was able to provide just the right amount of advice and encouragement. She has given me the skills to be able to continue with an exercise programme and eating habits that I would never have had the motivation to initiate or continue alone. It also filled the gap left after active treatment finished and without a doubt has boosted my mood and confidence. I really hope the trial results in a wider roll out in the NHS.”

“I can't thank SafeFit enough.  The regular sessions with my instructor, XXX, helped me navigate the changes to my body and mind, brought about by cancer diagnosis and treatment.  XXX was kind, supportive and helped me see the progress I was making, when I struggled to see it myself. Moving forward from treatment is hard, and there are still challenges ahead, but I now have so many more tools to help me through.  The trial has made a huge difference to me. Thank you!”

“Once again, I can’t stress enough how beneficial being part of this trial has been to me.  I have continued my relationship with my PT XXX and I continue to work on my core strength, agility in a way that I know is safe for my condition.  It has been, and continues to be fantastic.  Thank you all!”

“I am doing pretty good thank you!  Not back to what I was yet but I definitely feel like I am on the right path.  Thank you for the questionnaires, I have just completed them. I just wanted to say that Safefit has been absolutely brilliant for me. I am in so much of a better position with my health and wellbeing now because of it (and my excellent trainer XXX). It’s definitely helped me to regain control over my fitness which has helped a lot psychologically as well.  Thank you XXX for being part of the trial and please pass on my heartfelt thanks to everyone else in the team – you have all made a massive difference.”

“XXX has been my instructor and our first online meeting was on XXX. At this time I still had one session of chemotherapy to go and two weeks of radiotherapy. I cannot overstate what a difference XXX has made to my recovery - both physical and mental. She has listened, advised and encouraged me constantly. She has been flexible and willing to adapt a session last minute depending on my needs. Three months ago I couldn’t see how I would heal myself following my cancer diagnosis and treatment. She showed me. Having never run in my life, I have now just completely Couch to 5k and am running for 30 minutes three times a week. I have daily stretches and strengthening exercises which XXX taught me and I can now undertake independent workouts. I wanted to improve my nutrition - but was in danger of reading too many cancer curing diet books and getting very overwhelmed. XXX has guided me to sensible nutritional eating which I can apply to the whole family. Finally, XXX has taught me self care and well being. This is something that has been invaluable. I can now prioritise my mental health - and have strategies to manage difficult times. Thank you Safefit and XXX. The program has filled an huge gap in my cancer care and shown me the way forward towards recovery. I cannot recommend it highly enough. Please feel free to use this feedback in any way you would like - although I would prefer it to anonymised. I am also happy to be contacted further if I can be of any help to the trial.”

“I have attached the questionnaires (I hope...), and am incredibly grateful for all the help I have had from SafeFit. My fitness would have been so much worse had it not been for XXX and Safefits help, and I would have been a total non-functioning emotional wreck. My family are very grateful too – these things never happen to one person in isolation, and it never seems to stop.  Please pass on a very BIG thank you to XXX and everyone else, this project is so important, you’re all just brilliant and lovely.”