How a £5k donation is helping Foundation make a community more active

Foundation of Light have benefitted from a £5,000 donation to help deliver health and wellbeing classes to over 55s.

The sessions funded by Vistry North East are designed to help a community become more active at the Benedict Court apartment complex.

Mollie Russell, Foundation health and wellbeing delivery officer, said: "Our Health and Wellbeing team have worked with the residents to develop a range of sessions which best suit their needs.

"These include seated chair exercises and work with resistance bands to music.

"Becoming more active can help people build strength and conditioning for a better general health and stretching exercises can improve mobility and help with stiffness."

The sessions, which take place every two weeks, also include activities based around posture and lower body strength to help reduce falls.

The social aspect of the sessions is also highly valued by the residents.

Mollie added: "It has also been great to see how the sessions have brought people in the building together, fostering and creating friendships and combating loneliness."

Resident Audrey Dougall said: "Many of the people living at Benedict Court have difficulties with their walking, so these sitting exercises have been really popular.

"We all look forward to the sessions and our fitness coach, Mollie, tailors them to suit people’s individual capabilities perfectly.

"Many residents have told me of the great sense of achievement they feel after taking part in the exercises and through the activities - and the post-session refreshments we enjoy afterwards - they have brought people together and really enhanced our little community."

Natasha Hunter, Development Manager at Vistry North East, said: "When we heard about the opportunity to support this excellent initiative we were only too happy to help.

"Encouraging physical activity and bringing members of the community together, this is a wonderful example of how a small investment can make such a big change to people’s lives."