Swansea Council withdraws £24 charge for a yoga teacher on Swansea Beach following public petition and reconsideration.
Her classes are free, with people having the option to donate to cover costs. This approach ensures the classes are accessible to everyone, including homeless people. The classes provide support to vulnerable individuals within the community.
The council had initially intended to charge her £24.15 per class. Helen appealed this decision, and she received substantial support. Over 500 people signed a petition in support of her appeal.
The council has since stated that they will not charge her. They want people to enjoy outdoor spaces and for events to be safe and organized. Charges typically apply to commercial events, and they initially believed her classes fell under this category. However, after speaking with her, they revised their assessment.
Helen expressed her satisfaction with the decision, emphasizing that the council now understands it’s not a business. She considers it a donation-based community event, open to all. While other yoga classes can cost £10, her classes operate differently, relying on donations.
Her classes are available to everyone in the city, regardless of income, age, or background. She expressed gratitude to everyone for their support and to the council for listening to her concerns.
She also shares how yoga can improve life quality. Beach Yoga Swansea Bay begins on May 6th. Classes are held from 7pm to 8pm near The Observatory, with no booking required. However, the class is canceled if it rains.