Free community health and wellbeing sessions are proving a “lifeline” for older residents, its organisers have said.
The health hubs, run by social enterprise Viva Slough, aim to prevent long-term conditions affecting older people and address health deprivation in the Berkshire town.
It comes as data shows that life expectancy in Slough is lower than national and regional averages.
One user, Sarla Seth, 83, said her arthritis had previously made it difficult to move in the morning.
“I used to cry but now I can get up and I am happy,” she said.
The health hub has been taking place for a year [BBC]
About 30 people attend weekly sessions held at Wexham Parish Hall and and at St Mary’s Church.
Seth said she used to struggle to put her clothes on and comb her hair because of her arthritis.
“I used to be very depressed because I couldn’t move in the morning,” she said.
She said she had previously hurt herself while at a conventional gym but since she started the class she had been able to move around and walk again.
“I can get up, I am happy and I look forward to coming here,” she said.
Data from Slough Borough Council shows that women live to about 83 and men live to about 78, which is lower than national and regional averages.
Women spend an average of 21 years in poor health, compared with 18 for men.
Kamuben Patel said she had enjoyed going to the health hubs [BBC]
Kamuben Patel, 80, said she had seen a huge difference since she started the sessions.
“Because I live on my own it helps me to move on and just be strong and do things myself,” she said.
“I like to do things myself and not be dependent on anybody”.
Amandeep Managat, from Viva Slough, created the Boost Health programme after becoming concerned about public health in the town and had discussions with local GPs.
GPs sent text messages to patients that had certain health conditions such as diabetes and heart conditions encouraging them to attend the free exercise classes when they started – with 150 people turning up to the first one.
“It has been a real lifeline for some of these residents,” Amandeep said.
The sessions later expanded into multiple classes a week and were classed as a social prescription.
Amandeep added that the sessions were currently over subscribed, so additional funding was being sough to expand further.
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