Falls prevention classes help patients go from strength to strength

Fitness classes created to prevent falls among older people have helped patients go from strength to strength at Stratford Leisure Centre.

The six-week Falls Prevention Programme, run by the Stratford Hospital NHS Physiotherapist department and leisure operator Everyone Active, started at the leisure centre in September and has transformed the lives of older people.

The sessions offer circuit-based strength and balance exercises with the leisure centre's GP referral instructor, local physiotherapists and volunteers.

They will now continue following impressive results that demonstrate residents' mobility improved after attending the sessions.

Stanley Evans, 95, from Studley, is a member of the group who has positively benefitted from the classes, returning to his passion for ballroom dancing on his 95th birthday.

After completing the course, Stanley shed a tear when leaving his last class on the programme.

Stanley said: "The classes have massively helped me, and I love the social aspect. I am very much looking forward to continuing my journey through the GP referral scheme and continuing with Theo, the instructor." 

Stanley isn't alone, as Mary Mase, 87, from Snitterfield, booked herself a cruise after taking part in the Falls Prevention Programme, proving her confidence has returned after a fall.

A third of people over 65 and half of people over 80 fall at least once a year, and it is the most common cause of death from injury in the over 65 age group. Falls in older people also cost the NHS more than £2.3 billion per year.

Amy Widman, contract activity and wellbeing manager, said: "Helping people keep active, regain their confidence and improve their mobility after a fall is incredibly important. To see the determination and strength of patients who have attended our Falls Prevention classes has been incredibly inspiring.

"We now have numerous patients who want to continue exercising with Everyone Active. Our hope is that they will either continue the class or, depending on mobility, will exit through our GP referral scheme so that they get that one-to-one support.

"It's wonderful to see people like Stanley and Mary who have been so committed to their classes that they now have the mobility and strength to return to doing things they love and explore new experiences. We hope to support many more people through this programme and continue our work with the NHS."

Stratford Leisure Centre is run in partnership with Stratford-on-Avon District Council.

Craig Bourne, Environmental and Operational Services Manager at Stratford-on-Avon District Council  said: "We are proud to support initiatives like the Falls Prevention Programme at Stratford Leisure Centre, which make a real difference to the health and wellbeing of our older residents. Helping people stay active, independent, and socially connected is at the heart of our commitment to creating a healthier community. The success stories from this programme show just how life-changing these classes can be."

To find more information, please contact the centre at Stratford Leisure Centre