Hill Care Group aims to host biggest dementia-friendly exercise class

HUNDREDS of care home residents at dozens of care homes across the north of England will take part in the “biggest dementia-friendly digital exercise class ever” for this year’s Children in Need day.

Hill Care Group care homes from Derbyshire to Northumberland, North Yorkshire to Cheshire will participate in a mass Love to Move class organised and run by Rachael Addy, activities coordinator at Deangate Care Home, in Barnsley.

Supported by staff at fellow Hill Care homes, Rachael will lead participants via a live video feed through a series of chair-based age and dementia-friendly exercises tailored to their abilities.

Rachael recently became a certified deliverer for the British Gymnastics Foundation’s Love to Move programme, having supported the scheme for almost two years, working with the Barnsley Primary Care Network to deliver classes at Deangate Care Home and in the wider community.

The classes are designed to get those living with dementia feeling fitter, stronger, better coordinated, and improve their memory through the performance of dance routines and coordination exercises.

Rachael plans on broadcasting the biggest class she has ever organised on Tuesday, 12^th November, so residents, family members, and staff can all participate.

Participants from Hill Care’s 36 care homes will be seeking sponsorship for the event, with all proceeds going to Children in Need.

Rachael said: “I had an idea for Children in Need, where we would get all the other Hill Care homes to participate in a Love to Move class and raise money for the charity.

“I ran the idea passed our central office and they were really excited. We’ve had positive feedback from the other homes and we’ve been training and preparing the other activities coordinators on the routine we will all be doing on the day.

“With staff, residents, and their families all invited to take part, we’re hoping it could be one of the biggest dementia-friendly digital exercise classes ever.”

She added: “It is an absolute pleasure and honour to be able to deliver these specialised classes. I am over the moon to be able to call myself a Love to Move deliverer. I was nervous when I took my assessment, as I know how much it would mean for the residents and the wider community if I passed.

“I feel so privileged to have been able to participate in the training course and take my final assessment. This would not have been possible if Hill Care had not believed in the Love to Move programme and put me through my training.”

Rachael currently runs free-to-attend classes every week at Deangate Care Home, and once a month at Staincross Methodist Church Hall, in Barnsley, when anyone living with dementia and their carers are welcome to attend.

Residents at Deangate Care Home have been participating in the Love to Move programme since February 2023.

Last year, residents and staff put their new-found skills and fitness to the test when they created a music video for Children in Need, working with the Barnsley Healthcare Federation and other Barnsley care homes.

Rachael said: “We love it so much we were also featured in an educational video for Barnsley Older People Physical Activity Alliance (BOPPA), which showed the benefits that Love to Move can bring to the elderly.

“Our video for Children in Need gained momentum on social media and I was so proud to set up the community Love to Move in conjunction with the Staincross Methodist Church.

“At the end of the day I want to show the world that these ladies and gents are still alive and kicking. Life begins again when you enter a care home, it doesn’t end. And this is such a powerful way of showing everyone that anyone at any age can achieve what they put their minds to.

“There are so many benefits for the residents. Joan Giggal has been taking part in the sessions from day one and she is amazing. She can do most of the movements now compared to when she first started them. She knows the songs before they even come on. She has even helped other residents with learning the moves.”

Joan, 91, said: “It’s wonderful. I can move now more than ever thanks to this class.”

Rita Wood, daughter of resident Sheila Johnson, 96, said: “We love seeing how happy it makes the residents when we come to visit mum. She even gets involved where she can.”

Susan Tattershall, daughter of resident Alice Pickering, 90, said: “You can see the difference when the residents have had the session. They are more alert and ready for the day ahead if they do it in a morning.”

Rachael added: “Anyone can get involved. It’s not just for those living with dementia. Some of the staff found out how complex some of the cognition tasks can be and they were so surprised but the more they practised the better they are getting at it, just like our residents.

“It’s suitable for all abilities, so if the individual just wants to listen they can, sing, move, or chat. It’s all about interaction and engagement and, most importantly, having fun.”

To sponsor the Hill Care Love to Move dementia-friendly exercise class, with all donations going to Children in Need, visit their Just Giving web page at www.justgiving.com/page/rachael-addy-1727781882655.