Inspiring photographs celebrating women exercising have gone on display at two of the UH Bristol hospitals to mark International Women’s Day.

The photographs were taken by Jeni Nott and focus on parents fitting exercise into their already busy lives, and hope to inspire other women to look for ways to fit in physical activity around their normal routines.

St Michael’s Hospital and South Bristol Hospital will host the exhibitions, which form part of the latest initiative by Bristol Girls Can, a local campaign which aims to break down barriers around exercise and inspire more women to get active in the city in a variety of ways.

Mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees said: “We know being active has a positive effect on our physical health and mental wellbeing, but for many parents, barriers such as time, cost and childcare, mean that making exercise a priority and putting their needs first can be a challenge.

“The mums highlighted by the campaign have managed to overcome some of these barriers and are exercising in their own way. Their example shows us all that you don’t have to have a gym membership, expensive sports clothes or lots of free time. It’s about doing what you can, when you can.’’

Anna Farthing, arts programme director for University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust said ‘We are delighted to be collaborating with colleagues in Public Health and at North Bristol NHS Trust on this project. Jeni Nott’s touching photos depict real women with their kids, and are genuinely moving. We hope these images will inspire everyone who ever had a mum to find fun ways of getting fit alongside the demands of family life”.

More information on the exhibition is available on Wednesday 13 March during an event at St Michael's hospital. Click here for tickets.

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For more information on the women featured in the exhibition, visit the This Girl Can website.