Health & Wellbeing activities: A range of activities aimed at improving the physical health and well-being. These include: strength and balance exercise classes, Forget-Me-Not group for those concerned about their memory, information events, yoga classes, Smile Inside – Singing for COPD and MW, and access to the free older people’s osteopathy clinic.
Currently providing telephone befriending with some face to face visits where social distancing requirements can be met. Our service matches older people to volunteers on the basis of shared interests and compatibility. The relationships consist of weekly visits at a time convenient for both parties which usually take place in the older person’s own home. Some of our befriending matches go for short walks together, to local coffee shops, art galleries, for meals or they may choose to play games together. The relationships evolve based on what the befriendee is both able to do and wants to do.
25 exercise and activity groups across the borough. This includes gentle exercise groups and seated yoga and dance. We also run social conversation groups, bridge, singing, a lunch club and IT groups. Three of our groups are specifically for adults with dementia and these include singing, reading and a peer support group. We also offer one group for carers of those with dementia. Our groups are focused on improving both physical and mental health through exercise sessions held by those skilled in working with older people and those with mobility issues to gentle discursive groups that offer a peer network and social interaction.
We provide specialist support for people living with mild-moderate dementia. We can provide a volunteer befriender and also run four specialist dementia groups including singing, reading and peer support. The dementia groups are available online and the befriending support is being offered over the telephone or online currently.
