AN exercise session for people living with dementia is coming to Mapplewell.
The free Love To Move session is being run in collaboration with Deangate Care Home and is set to take place on Wednesday at 2pm in Staincross Methodist Church Hall.
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.
These sessions are designed to get people struggling with dementia fitter, stronger and improve their coordination, and residents at Deangate have been enjoying the chair-based exercise since the start of 2023.
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, also 88, added: “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 partnership also saw Deangate 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 dancing.
Rachael Addy, activities co-ordinator 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.”
