A new exercise programme incorporating gentle exercise and peer-to-peer social support is launching in the Autumn thanks to funding from NHS Charities Together.
Delivered across Bournemouth and Poole by registered charity BH Live, the exercise programme is aimed at local older people (aged 65 and over) who have been affected by cancer. In particular, those who are living with, or recovering from cancer. It is also open to older people who are supporting a loved one living with cancer.
Exercise sessions will begin week commencing 18 September 2023 at Bournemouth’s Littledown Centre and BH Live Active, Corfe Mullen.
They will run over a 12-week period and include gentle walking with elements of strength and mobility exercise. Refreshments will be provided afterwards giving participants the opportunity to chat with others.
Participants will be asked to contribute £2.50 per session to take part. Any surplus at the end of the 12-weeks will be reinvested back into the programme to deliver future sessions.
Viv Galpin, Health and Wellbeing Manager for BH Live runs BH Live’s diverse programme of health and wellbeing activities across the BCP region to encourage more people into physical activity. She said,
“Self-care such as regular physical activity and talking about experiences can help people feel more in control of their own physical health and wellbeing. We know this often feels unattainable, especially after a diagnosis. But by taking one step at a time in a safe and supported environment we hope to be able to reach out and support as many people as we can.”
All of the BH Live Active instructors who will be delivering the exercise sessions are Level 4 Cancer Rehabilitation qualified through BH Live’s employee learning and development programme.
Distributed through Active Dorset and University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity, the funding to enable BH Live to deliver these sessions has come from the Dorset Health Village Small Grants Fund, part of NHS Charities Together. Available to Not for Profit organisations only, the purpose of this funding is to increase physical activity opportunities for people living in Dorset who are affected by cancer.
For more information about the programme and to register interest, residents aged 65+ are invited to contact BH Live’s Health and Wellbeing team at communityclasses@bhlive.org.uk.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors:
BH Live has received £2K funding distributed through Active Dorset, The Dorset Health Village Small Grants Fund – https://www.activedorset.org/dorset-health-village-small-gran
Provided by NHS Charities Together, the purpose of this funding is to increase physical activity opportunities to people affected by cancer living in Dorset, which is available to Not for Profit organisations only.
About BH Live
BH Live is a leading operator of leisure and event venues; a registered charity and social enterprise that designs and builds engaging experiences to inspire people and enrich lives.
Our social objectives are to:
- Encourage more people to take part in physical activity– by providing leisure facilities to encourage active communities and improve health and wellbeing.
- Attract bigger entertainment audiences– with a diverse range of cultural and artistic events that appeal to a wide variety of tastes.
- Deliver economic benefit– by hosting major conferences, exhibitions and events that benefit the local, regional and international economy.
With more than five million visits a year we are changing lives and are at the heart of the UK’s growing social economy.
For more visit bhlive.org.uk.
Get social with us:
LinkedIn and Twitter @BHLIVE_UK
Facebook @SocialEnterpriseBHLive
About Littledown Centre
Littledown is operated by BH Live in partnership with BCP Council.
Set in 47 acres of parkland, Littledown has some of the finest leisure, swimming, football and gym facilities in the country.
It is ranked among the top performing leisure centres in the UK, is accredited by quality scheme QUEST and is a National Fitness Award winner for the Local Authority/Leisure Trust Gym of the Year and finalist for the Best Group Exercise Gym of the Year.
It has more than 1.2 million attendances a year and is home to clubs including BH Live’s Swimming Academy, Swim Bournemouth, Littledown Juniors Football Club and Play Football.
The venue has one of the largest gyms in the UK with personal training, an exercise referral and children’s activity programme. Hundreds of weekly group exercise classes are offered including the Les Mills programme.
Indoor facilities include a 25-metre swimming pool, 17-metre teaching pool, a splash pool and spa. There is a large sports hall for events and multi-sport activities including trampolining, badminton, table tennis, football and gymnastics. The venue also has a café, bar and soft play facility.
Outdoor features include six floodlit 3G rubber crumb training pitches, grass football pitches, parkland for recreation and events, a cricket pitch and pavilion, lake, children’s playground, a paddling pool (open summer months only), outdoor catering and free customer parking for up to three hours seven days a week.
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk.
Get social with us:
Twitter @bhliveactive
Facebook @littledowncentre
About BH Live Active, Corfe Mullen
BH Live Active, Corfe Mullen is situated in East Dorset. It is a vibrant community hub with a pool, gym, group exercise studios, a Terrace Café with soft play, and tennis courts. It also offers a learn-to-swim programme for adults and children, together with an 813 Club to encourage families to take part in physical activity together.
The centre is a winner of Sporta’s Impact of New Facility award, and was a Newcomer of the Year finalist in UK Active’s National Fitness Awards.
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk.
Get social with us:
Twitter @bhliveactive
Facebook @bhliveactivecorfemullen