HDCs One Leisure Active Lifestyles team recognises the importance of healthy living. Through their RightStart exercise programme, the team is offering the opportunity for older adults to take up a strength and balance exercise class, known as Postural Stability Instruction (PSI). The progressive falls-prevention class looks to improve strength, balance and postural stability with the aim to reduce risk of falling whilst maintaining your favoured daily living activities. The classes are provided by District Councils and a local charity as part of the ‘Stay Stronger for Longer’ campaign run by Cambridgeshire County Council and NHS partners.
Margaret Nunn, 84, has arthritis and described how taking part in the PSI classes has given her a new
lease of life. Margaret joined the class at One Leisure St Neots when it restarted after lockdown and now
attends weekly with a group of friends. “I can now walk from the house to the shops in St Neots and I
couldn’t do that a few weeks ago. I have more strength in my legs, and I can climb stairs again.”
The 84-year-old lost much of her mobility during lockdown – a problem many have suffered across the country – but is moving much better now and really enjoying the classes. This is more important than ever with a new study commissioned by Public Health England revealing that older people experienced a considerable reduction in strength and balance during the pandemic, which in turn increases the risk of falls.
Margaret is certainly one of those feeling the benefits of her new class, so much so that she makes sure
never to miss one of her Friday sessions. “We have a laugh as well as work hard,” she added. “The
instructor is very good and everyone at the Leisure Centre is friendly. It’s a great class and it has really
helped me.”
Cllr Simon Bywater, Executive Councillor for Community Resilience and Well-Being, commented: “Since
Covid hit it has become very evident that many people have lost mobility and independence as a result of
not being able to get out and about, doing the things they enjoy. Here at the Council we believe very
strongly in enabling people to get back to these activities enjoyed prior to the pandemic and where
possible attend exercise classes. A very important part of this is to help individuals build on strength,
improve balance and increase general mobility. This class in particular helps to build that confidence, and
if in the unfortunate situation an individual falls they have the effective strength conditioning to assist.”
In order to find out more information about the exercise classes, or other activities Active Lifestyles offer
please visit: www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/activelifestyles or call 01480 388111. You can find them on
Facebook (@HDCactivelifestyles), Twitter (@HDC_Active) and Instagram (@HDC_Active).
To read the full article from Margaret, please visit: https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/news/arthriticpensioners-new-lease-of-life-thanks-to-mobility-classes?fbclid=IwAR2Uuuu14o-JE6uDVVl2vj-CsEhBsZlE_5mNlnAt0WnGG8AlCpZiB3iN8o