A new community-focused fitness initiative is launching on World Health Day, designed to address inactivity and health inequality through an innovative attendance-based model.
The Confidence Academy: Get Britain Moving CIC has been established by Rayhana Sultan and introduces a “commitment deposit” concept. Participants pay a small fee upfront to secure their place, which is refunded once they attend the session.
The programme is aimed at beginners, people returning to exercise, and those who struggle with consistency due to barriers such as anxiety, low confidence or busy lifestyles. It focuses on encouraging regular participation while keeping costs manageable.
Sultan, a finance manager within local government and a qualified fitness instructor currently studying towards a Level 3 Personal Training qualification, created the initiative following her own journey of rebuilding her life after a period in prison.
“After prison, rebuilding my life meant taking control of my health and creating structure and discipline,” she said.
“This initiative is about helping others do the same — giving people a reason to show up for themselves, and rewarding them when they do.”
The approach aims to make fitness more accessible by removing the financial pressures often associated with traditional memberships, while introducing accountability through the requirement to attend.
The launch comes at a time when inactivity remains a concern across the UK. According to Sport England, around 25% of adults in England are considered inactive, completing less than 30 minutes of physical activity each week. Lower levels of participation are particularly evident in more deprived areas.
The first sessions will include beginner Zumba classes held in London and Cambridgeshire, with further expansion planned based on demand and community engagement.
The project has received backing from Project ReMake, an organisation that supports individuals with lived experience of the criminal justice system in building entrepreneurial careers.
“Rayhana has a passion to help people meet the challenge of inactivity and change their lives for the better in an innovative way”, said Andrew Arthur who is her business mentor at Project ReMake and director at Brite Energy.
“Ray’s genuine spirit and passion to combine her financial background and personal experiences to pursue social entrepreneurship is truly inspiring. She has true,unbreakable determination to create a positive social change by combatting one of the largest inequalities in Britain. I am so grateful to work with her, and I am excited to see TCA grow!” said Hayley Chan, legal student advisor in her second year of Law LLB at Queen Mary University of London.
“As a student advisor, it’s been a privilege to support Ray in developing The Confidence Academy. Her determination, resilience, and responsiveness to feedback make her an outstanding entrepreneur to work with”, said Mrithyunjai Sudarshan, one of her student advisors who is a final year student in Accounting & Finance at Queen Mary University of London.
Waiting lists are now open for the initial weekend sessions, with places offered based on availability.
London – https://form.jotform.com/260876092172360
Cambridge – https://form.jotform.com/260875769729378
