Julie, attends our Parkinson’s class: “I benefit from exercising my legs and my arms without any stress, which I’m not supposed to have as a Parkinson’s sufferer. I enjoy being here with everybody else. It’s nice to be with people with the same problems.”
Babs, comes to our Milton Malsor class: “I thoroughly enjoy it. I come because I’m awaiting a hip operation, but I’ve got to lose three stone and keep supple in the meantime. I thought this would be the best place – and it is. It’s helped a lot.”
Maggie, attends out Wootton class: “I’m very aware of what I’m doing now. I walk a lot better and it’s given me confidence not to trip on pavements.”
Ben, cancer patient at our Elgar Centre classes: “These classes are doing me a lot of good – and I don’t have to pay anything!”
Alan, Parkinson’s patient who attends out class at The Doddridge Centre: “Since coming, I’ve just generally been feeling better. I’m 90-years-old and was just sitting in a chair, but now I feel as if I have somewhere to go.”
Lynne, cancer patient with visual impairments, Elgar Centre cancer classes: “I had breast cancer in 2006, and it reappeared in 2012. I benefit from the exercises because if you are stronger, your balance is better.”
Helen: “It’s a new period in my life because my husband is now in a care home and I wanted to do something for me. I had a recent hip operation and doing these exercises has helped me a lot. The fact it is free is a help as with my husband in a care home that isn’t cheap. I really look forward to it. Everybody has made me welcome.”
Eileen, attends our cancer classes at the Elgar Centre with her husband: “My husband had bowel cancer eight years ago, and recovered well. Since then, he’s had a stroke and some seizures. We come to this class and it’s really doing him good. He’s now getting up and down out of the chairs on his own and is building up his confidence.”
Vi, attends our strength and balance classes: “When I first came here, I’d had a stroke and I couldn’t walk. I was all over the place. But I’ve got my walking back and my legs have got stronger. This has made a complete difference to me altogether.”
Liz comes to our Wootton class with her husband Rod, who has Alzheimer’s: “It definitely helps him. The company, the doing exercises, it’s good because he’s having to work his brain. When Michelle says five up and three down, or whatever, he’s got to think about it and that’s really good. For anybody, like Rod, who has Alzheimer’s or dementia, it is so important.”
John, attends our Friday class at Wootton: “I hardly use my stick at all now, and not at all at home. I do the exercises at home. We’ve been trying to get up and off chairs more easily. My confidence has grown and I find I’m doing ‘heel and toe’ as I walk around at home. My son has said what an improvement these classes have made to me.”
Janet, attends our class in Milton Malsor: “I have been attending your classes in Milton Malsor village hall now for two years and my husband Paul joined me at the classes this year. We both find the classes fun and most beneficial in helping us keep fit and active. It is a very friendly class and we are lucky to have the classes in our village hall. Also, at this moment in time, the classes are free thanks to you and your team working hard to obtain grants and fundraising.”
John has been coming to our Hardingstone class for four years: “When I came originally I was very unsure and very unstable. Now, I’m more certain of what I do and I enjoy the class here. It’s excellent and the camaraderie is fantastic.”
