November 2011 saw the first get together for all the participants from across the Island at one giant chair-based exercise event at the Villa Marina. The chair-based exercise community classes have been running across the Island since 2006 and are organised by the Department of Health’s Public Health Directorate. The sessions have grown in popularity attracting many new members and new sessions, and the all-Island event celebrates the overall success of the scheme to date. The event attracted over 70 participants, coming from all four corners of the Island, to join in a fun exercise and social session. The class was run as a normal session, just on a larger scale, with gentle mobilising and stretching exercises, and some Christmas cheer was added with some pass the parcel and tea and mince pies after the session. Michelle Poyzer, Senior Health Improvement Officer who manages the scheme overall said: “The event at the Villa Marina highlights how important these sessions are to the members of the community, not just to keep our older adults’ bodies healthy and maintain their independence, but also for the social contact and the positive effect that has on mental health.” The community chair-based exercise sessions are free to all, and are suitable for everyone as the pace and exercises can be modified to make them inclusive to all. The sessions will be stopping over the Christmas period, but will recommence the first week in January 2012. Day Time Place Monday 10.30 am Ramsey Town Hall Tuesday 2.00 pm Sandfield Residents Lounge, Castletown Wednesday 10.30 am Westland’s Residents Lounge, Peel Thursday 1.30 pm Onchan Youth & Community Centre Friday 2.00 pm Port Erin, Methodist Hall Friday 2.00 pm Ramsey Town Hall If you, or someone you know, would benefit from attending these sessions, please come along, or call Public Health on 642668 to discuss sessions that would be most suitable for you. ENDS