The idea
This project will empower 12 of our family carers and volunteers through certified training to lead seated exercise classes tailored for the unique needs of people living with dementia.
Building on two years of successful classes, this initiative will nurture members' ability to create engaging, safe, and interactive sessions using innovative props. The newly trained leaders will enhance participation by addressing specific barriers, ensuring greater benefits for attendees. With these new facilitators, we can expand the number of sessions offered, meeting increasing demand in the area.
As the only organisation delivering dementia specific seated exercise sessions in our area, we are best placed to deliver this, as our new leaders will bring understanding, compassion and joy while investing in necessary equipment to support dynamic, adaptive sessions.
What we'll deliver
- 12 volunteers and family carers receiving certified training
- Purchase of equipment for a group of up to 40 members
- Purchase of sound equipment
- Hiring of Grimsargh Village Hall for 48 x 2 hour sessions
Why it's a great idea
• Enable people living with dementia to access seated exercise delivered in a sensitive manner, addressing all of their unique needs.
• Physical exercise is invaluable in combating the impact of dementia. It can improve mental wellbeing, cognitive capacity and heart health. It can also support prolonged independence by improving mobility, muscle strength, balance and dexterity.
• Empowers volunteers and carers with leadership skills, boosting their self-confidence and sense of purpose.
• Extrapolate the impact of the project as new skills are used at home, enhancing their relationship with their loved one.
• Extending our peer led ethic, following our members desire to be more actively involved. On a wider scale our members have expressed preference for more prop-based exercise, which this project will accommodate.
• One of our members has said that after a seated exercise session her father is noticeably more active for a few days.
Steps to get it done
- Signing up 12 members for training
- Purchase of equipment
- Delivery of first peer led session
