Free dementia friendly exercise session in Barnsley

LOVE to Move is running a free exercise session in Mapplewell, Barnsley, for those living with dementia.

Anyone with dementia and their carers are invited to attend on 28^th February, 2-4pm, at Staincross Methodist Church Hall.

The session is being run in collaboration with Deangate Care Home and Rev Claire Rawlinson from Barnsley Methodist Circuit.

Janice Starkey, social prescriber for Barnsley Primary Care Network and Love to Move facilitator, will lead participants through a series of exercises tailored to their abilities.

Residents at Deangate Care Home having been enjoying the chair-based age and dementia friendly exercise programme since the start of 2023.

Designed to get them fitter, stronger, better coordinated, and improve their memory, they have been performing dance routines and coordination exercises.

The partnership also saw residents taking part in a music video for Children in Need last year, when they dressed as North Gawber colliery coal pit miners while singing and moving to 1937 classic “The Lambeth Walk”.

After taking part in just two sessions, 88-year-old Frances Smith reported improvements in her mobility. She said: “My left arm has been stiff but since starting these exercises I feel it’s a lot better. I feel energised.”

Betty Wood, 88, said: “It was hard at first learning the routine, but it was fun when I managed to get the hang of it. It makes me use my memory.”

The Love to Move programme is based on a similar scheme in Japan, with research concluding it improved elderly participants’ walking speed, cognitive function, and balance, as well as reducing feelings of depression.

Designed to get older people moving and functioning better, the programme also aims to improve the lives of those living with dementia through social interaction, memory stimulation and the use of foundation gymnastics skills to develop coordination, balance, core strength, and flexibility.

The open session in Mapplewell will also be an opportunity to for participants to socialise, make new friends, and speak to specialists from Barnsley Primary Care Network about available support. Tea and coffee will be available for a £1 donation to the Church.

Rachael Addy, activities coordinator at Deangate Care Home, said: “We wanted to highlight that there is help with dementia care in the village and how coming together for a social event means that we can support one another. It’s also lots of fun.

“Residents from Deangate, who have been doing the love to move sessions for a year, are also going along to help teach the newcomers.

“Everyone is looking forward to passing on what they’ve learned.  It’s going to be great fun and we would like to invite the whole community to attend.”