Brian and Barbara live in Whittlesey. Barbara suffers from neuropathy and spinal damage and therefore needs a wheelchair to get around. Barbara’s GP recommended some gentle exercise to help with mobility and suggested that they came along to Mindful Motion.
Mindful Motion sessions include one hour of physical exercise and one hour of social activities. These sessions are free to attend and suitable for retired and semi-retired people.
It’s not all hard work and exercise at these sessions – we’ve had numerous visitors come to deliver workshops for the group, including Faustina Yang, who came in to deliver a Tai Chi taster session amidst the group’s Chinese New Year celebrations.
Sessions take place on Mondays (10am – 12pm) and Thursdays (10am – 12pm) at Sudbury Court in Whittlesey.
Both Barbara and Brian attend as Brian is Barbara’s full-time carer and they have been attending for approximately 18 months.
The original goal was for the chair-based exercises to help with Barbara’s mobility.
Brian and Barbara have been attending on a regular basis over a period of 18 months. Both Brian and Barbara take part with the exercises and have also participated in the social side of various activities and games.
As Brian and Barbara had recently moved to the area, they have found that not only have they benefitted from the exercise, but they have made new friends and now meet up with other couples socially outside of the weekly meetings. They have committed to attend each week and this has helped establish a good routine to ensure that they are up and out of the house every Thursday morning.
Brian and Barbara have found the talks from other organisations interesting and helpful. After the Bobby Scheme had attended, they contacted them and had new security features fitted around their home, which has made them feel less vulnerable to burglary etc.
Being able to share their knowledge and skills with the group has helped with self-esteem and better general wellbeing.
Barbara said “It is a very welcoming environment, and we look forward to attending each week”
Brian said “It isn’t like other clubs, we enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and banter between us all.”
For more information about Mindful Motion or any of our Health & Wellbeing sessions, please email Community@theposh.com.