Only Human: Meet Kelly Brougham
From writing PE excuses to winning fitness awards – Kelly’s Brougham unlikely journey to a wellbeing revolution.
- What drives someone to build a social enterprise that reaches thousands across the North East?
- Kelly Brougham shares the personal story behind Active Families – and why she’s still only just getting started.
- Fresh from winning the Business for Good Award, we look back at the roots of her unstoppable energy.
“I used to write fake notes to get out of PE – now I run a wellbeing movement.”
That’s how Kelly Brougham sums up the unlikely start to her journey as a co-founder of Active Families North East, a not-for-profit based at the North East BIC that’s now helping thousands of people across the region move more, feel better and stay connected.
A few weeks ago, Kelly and her team were crowned winners of the Business for Good Award at the North East Business Awards – a moment that she says felt surreal and deeply personal.
Because the award wasn’t just about business – it was about legacy.
The spark: two grandparents, one big lesson
Kelly was born in Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, but lived most of her life in Gosforth where her grandparents helped to raise her due to difficult family circumstances. She remembers a household full of love, resilience – and health challenges.
Her grandmother had survived polio and wore a calliper. Her grandfather had heart disease and a triple heart bypass. But neither let their health conditions define them.
“My grandma was a model – glamorous, driven, never a grey hair in sight,” Kelly recalls. “She showed me that nothing should stop you from living fully.”
It was their example – and their struggles – that planted the seed. Kelly saw how limited access to health and wellbeing support could shape a life and how gaps in opportunities created inequalities. She wanted to change that.
“I didn’t want to repeat the cycle. I loved how I was brought up, but I wanted to create something better – for myself and for others.”
From fitness to families: building a movement
But her relationship with fitness didn’t get off to a great start. She felt invisible and excluded in PE lessons at school and did everything she could to dodge them.
“I actually hated PE in school. People laugh now when I tell them I used to write fake notes with all kinds of terrible excuses to avoid exercise,” she says. “I think that was down to the role models I had in school. They were so unenthusiastic and just chose the fit kids to do the sports. So, I never did PE and became overweight. It was a vicious cycle.”
But after leaving school, Kelly realised fitness could be fun and she began exploring ways to make herself happy through movement. At 17 she took an exercise-to-music course at college and that sparked what would become an entire career in fitness.
At 18 she launched her first fitness business while working in childhood weight management with Sunderland City Council. For more than a decade, she balanced council work with running up to 60 fitness classes a week across the region.
But it was motherhood that shifted her focus.
“I had my first baby, Jessica, and I thought – how do you stay active when you have a child? Toddler groups were all nappies and nursery rhymes. What I needed was movement – for my mental health.”
So, she created it.
Rather than building a traditional fitness brand, she chose the social enterprise route – a decision rooted in her values.
Reinvesting every penny into creating opportunities – rather than chasing profit – was non-negotiable. “I just wanted to give something back. Being a CIC meant I could stay flexible and respond quickly to what communities need,” she says.
The golden thread: connection
From buggy bootcamps to seated exercise for older adults, Kelly’s programmes grew into Active Families North East – a community interest company she runs with fellow co-founder and director Amy Swan. The business now employs 10 staff and works with 45 self-employed individuals including teachers and sports coaches.
Together, they run everything from STEM-inspired school sessions to social Sundays for seniors. “We’ve even been asked by communities to run maths courses in foreign languages,” she says.
What ties such a diverse range of programmes all together?
“Connection,” Kelly says simply. “It’s not just about fitness – it’s about belonging. Whether it’s a trampoline class or a chat over tea, it’s about bringing people together. That’s what really changes lives.”
Innovation is at the heart of her work too.
From launching Kangoo Jumps classes (yes, those spring-loaded boots!) to developing a smart insole prototype that alerts loved ones via an app if the wearer has taken a fall, Kelly and her team are constantly dreaming up new ways to support wellbeing.
“We’re not afraid to try something new. If it helps someone feel better, we’ll explore it.”
The team’s Wellbeing Day model is another innovative hit – blending movement, mindfulness, creativity and community into one uplifting experience. And their biggest event yet is just on the horizon.
The festive edition of the Step into Wellness Festival promises a full day of feel-good fun, from wreath-making and sound baths to nutrition workshops, beauty sessions and even a mobile sauna on the beach. The day ends with a performance from the Rock choir and goody bags packed with treats.
“It’s everything we believe in – movement, joy, connection and a little sparkle,” Kelly says.
What’s next?
Kelly’s not slowing down. With support from the Rank Foundation’s Profit for Good programme, she’s now developing Wellness Collective events to raise funds and awareness – not just for Active Families, but for partner community organisations too.
“We’re stronger together. If we can shine a light on others doing amazing work, we will.”
The team are also looking forward to running their first physical building – Southwick Community Centre in Sunderland.
And while the Business for Good Award is a proud moment, it’s not the finish line.
“It’s lovely to be recognised,” says Kelly. “But the real reward is seeing people enjoying our classes and feeling better. That’s why we do it.”
Want to connect with Kelly?
Visit the Active Families North East website for more about their programmes, events and impact, connect directly with Kelly on LinkedIn, or say hello if you see her at the BIC.