Eastlight joins forces to launch home exercise scheme

Braintree District Council, Livewell and Eastlight Community Homes have partnered to provide chair-based exercises from home via a new booklet and video.

Eastlight’s Health and Wellbeing Co-ordinator, James Taylor, demonstrates gentle chair-based exercises to improve strength, mobility and confidence.

James leads a team of volunteers to teach free classes to residents in Essex, but the lockdown has put face-to-face classes on hold. James was keen to provide an interim solution to help to keep residents active.

Eastlight Community Housing formed in July 2020 following the merger of Greenfields Community Housing and a neighbouring housing association, Colne Housing.

James said:

“Chair-based exercise improves mobility, helps to maintain independence & increases social interaction. I’m hopeful that the video and booklet will encourage residents to try the simple exercises at home. I’m also looking for participants to attend live virtual or socially-distanced classes, as well as volunteers to lead the classes with training provided.”

Cllr Peter Tattersley, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing said: “It has been difficult for some people to keep active whilst shielding, but these chair-based exercises make it easy to promote movement and help combat fragility in the comfort of your own home.”

The booklet is being posted to local care homes and Eastlight residents aged 70 and over, as well as those living in Eastlight’s older persons’ schemes. The video is published on the Eastlight Community Homes channel on YouTube

Contact James Taylor by emailing James.Taylor@eastlighthomes.co.uk or calling 07964 128979 to request a copy of the booklet or register interest in attending or teaching classes.