The Soma Space offers group and individual movement sessions combining strength training and exercise with mental health education to assist individuals and groups in building, enhancing and maintaining all round mind-and-body wellbeing. It is founded by personal trainer Jo Hazell-Watkins and psychotherapist Kevin Braddock MBACP.
The Soma Space, Memorial Hall, Smithfield Street, Oswestry, SY11 2EG. Map
Movement For Mental Health
It is well established today that physical activity supports mental health, yet exercise modalities often neglect the psychic dimension of wellbeing. We believe that attaching movement and exercise to mental health work multiplies the benefits of both.
As scholars of leading thinkers in this field, including Bessel Van Der Kolk’s The Body Keeps The Score book, we believe this approach to health and wellbeing is innovative, rewarding and potentially transformative. Find out more about our philosophy and practice here and read this report recognising our work in The Guardian/Observer.
A Great Location For Being Well
The Soma Space is located in the Memorial Hall in central Oswestry with wheelchair access and parking nearby, plus direct access to the beautiful outdoors of Shropshire and Wales [map]. Find out more about our offers including group and individual sessions here.
The Soma Space is operated by Somadynamic CIC, a not-for-profit Company/CIC
About Us
Jo Hazell-Watkins
Jo is a Level 3 personal training and exercise on referral practitioner. She has completed training with Trauma-Informed Weightlifting in the US and practises a trauma-informed approach to exercise, specialising in the management of mental health conditions. She is one of only three Trauma-Informed Weightlifting Practitioners in the UK. Jo has a background in business startup and has led projects based on the social prescribing model with mental health referrals. She specialises in worksing with groups and 1-to-1 with individuals.
Kevin Braddock MA, MBACP
Kevin is a qualified and BACP-certified psychotherapist who trained on the MA Psychodynamic Psychotherapy course at Goldsmiths College, and is a qualified Mental Health First Aider, Level 2 Fitness Instructor and Boxercise instructor. He is also author of the acclaimed book Everything Begins With Asking For Help: An Honest Guide to Depression & Anxiety (Kyle Books, 2019) which was featured widely in the press and won standout reviews. Kevin has given talks on recovery from depression in organisations across Europe, and competed in triathlon and marathon, He is is a regular runner and Tai Chi practitioner.
Credentials & Qualifications
Jo and Kevin are established in their practice and are in regular supervision and therapy, are DBS-checked, insured and members of accrediting bodies (CIMSPA, BACP)
Jo Hazell-Watkins
• Trauma-Informed Weightlifting Certificate, ongoing consultation, JRI Institute, US, 2023
• TIWL (Trauma-Informed Weightlifting), 30 hours foundation 2021
• Level 3 Diploma in Exercise on Referral, YMCA Awards, 2022
• Level 3 Personal Training Practitioner, YMCA Awards, 2021
• Level 2 ABC Award Counselling Concepts, Shrewsbury College, 2021
• Level 2 Gym Instructor, YMCA Awards, 2019
• Level 2 Indoor cycling certificate/Spin Instructor, Focus Training, 2019
Kevin Braddock MA, MBACP
• MA Psychodynamic Counselling & Psychotherapy (Level 7, awarded Distinction) 2023, BACP registered
• Tai Chi Instructor, 2024 (TCQUGB)
• Boxercise Instructor, 2023
• Level 2 Gym Instructor, BISMA Awards, 2022
• Mental Health First Aider, 2020
• Certificate in Humanistic & Psychodynamic Counselling (Level 6), Goldsmiths, 2017
• Coaching & Mentoring, MA Leadership Programme, Institute of Education, 2015
• Author, “Everything Begins With Asking For Help” (Kyle Books, 2019)