Joy’s story

19th August 2024 | Active ageing, Benefits of physical activity, Building srength and mobility, Community group, Community impact, Falls, Get active, Gloucester, Older people, Reduced mobility, Social, Strength & Mobility, Tewkesbury

“‘I’ve noticed a huge difference in the strength in my legs.'”

After retiring five years ago, Joy joined the Brockworth Happy Club, a group of people who come together every Tuesday at Brockworth Community Centre.

Joy likes to keep fit by getting out and seeing her friends and takes part in an exercise group at Hucclecote Community Centre. But Joy noticed a real difference in her strength and balance when the Happy Club started doing some exercises together.

The exercises are part of a new fall-proof campaign to help prevent falls among older people in Gloucestershire. Groups who want to take part receive a booklet with simple exercises to try at home and prompt cards to put around the house as a handy reminder.

‘The booklet was very helpful and there are simple exercises that you can do when you’re boiling the kettle or standing at the kitchen sink. The cards are handy to keep – you can stick them on the side and once you get used to them you don’t even need to look at them.’

Joy has continued to do her exercises at home and has noticed a big improvement in her balance and the strength in her legs. For Joy, the exercises are fun, easy to remember and simple to do.

‘Five minutes a day is all you need. I do the exercises when I’m boiling the kettle, or first thing in the morning. When I get up, I do a few – when you first get out of bed you need something to strengthen you up a bit!’

And Joy’s advice to anyone like her looking to keep fit and active?

‘Just give it a go, it’s fun and it does help. Just five minutes a day is all you need.’

Find out more about the fall-proof campaign.