A Wellbeing for Life physical activity session has gone from strength to strength since it started in January.
The class was developed through a group of people, who didn’t previously know each other, who were out of work because of health problems, low confidence or lacking direction.
They attended ‘Employability Pitstop’ drop in sessions run by Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP) which are aimed at helping people overcome barriers to employment, the project is funded through Great Aycliffe and Middridge Partnership (GAMP)
Christine Kay delivers the project and from discussions with the clients saw a need for an informal exercise class to help people with health problems get fitter and feel better. So she contacted the Wellbeing for Life service and the class was designed by Health Trainer Donna Kelly.
Christine is visually and hearing impaired and had found it difficult to get back into work herself following a battle with cancer. Christine volunteered for some time before having the confidence to begin paid employment with PCP.
She is now using her first-hand experience to help give people the skills and confidence to get back into the workplace.
Donna says “All clients are wanting to lose weight, get fit or to just continue with the friendships made through the employability sessions. The group has grown considerably and people from all over the town attend with varying heath needs and fitness levels.
The class is very welcoming to new participants, at the beginning of each session we do a weigh in and have a 15 minute chat. If people have put on or lost weight then we talk about why and discuss our goals. The group is very supportive to each other and very friendly. We also have a group on Facebook so we can support each other between sessions.”
Margaret Peacock, also gained employment through volunteering with the employability project and attends the class with Christine. She said “I knew I needed to lose weight but used my health problems as a barrier. I had surgery to remove a tumour 16 years ago and have other health problems and when I exercised it would hurt. So this put me off doing any.
I am a bit of an IT geek and bought a Wii Fit but it just gathered dust. I started attending this class to support other members but I started to join in. I have a sports watch which calculates my steps and calories burnt, which I continue to measure after the class finishes, but my highest reading is always on a Wednesday!”
‘Fitness Friends’ runs every Wednesday 3:15-4pm at the Pioneering Care Centre For further information contact PCP on 01325 321234, email enquiries@pcp.uk.net.
Or find out more about PCP’s projects and activities at: www.pcp.uk.net, Twitter: @PioneeringCare and Facebook: /PCPandCentre
The Wellbeing for Life service is funded by Public Health County Durham and aims to take a ‘whole person’ approach to improving health. A team of trained and experienced health trainers work across County Durham to help clients with weight management, increasing physical activity, healthy eating, increasing confidence, stopping smoking and connecting with local services and groups. To find out more about the Wellbeing for Life health trainer service contact 0191 3781037.
