Health Inequalities Case Studies

Age UK North Tyneside is supporting older residents to get into fitness and community activities after launching a new range of weekly classes.

With sessions covering everything from Pilates and balance exercises to reading and social groups, there’s something on offer for residents of all abilities.

New classes are constantly being added to the schedule, with current plans for lunch clubs, dinner clubs and a refreshed book club, along with virtual sessions for people who want to join in from home.

While the sessions are fun and beneficial, they’re helping to address health inequalities for older residents in the borough.

They’re designed to reach older residents, particularly those who may be experiencing poor health, and support them to feel healthier and happier.

The sessions have been launched thanks to almost £30,000 grant funding from the Health Inequalities Fund which is hosted by VODA and funded by North Tyneside Council and the NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board.

Thanks to the funding, Age UK North Tyneside is able to offer the first session for free, with an additional free session when you bring along a friend, and test a wide range of activities to see which prove popular with older residents.

Sessions range from £3.50 to £5 per session after the free trial, with the cost used to help continue and extend the sessions after the scheme ends.

One class that’s proved popular with residents is the seated Pilates session, where residents take part in an hour-long class to strengthen their muscles and help improve their overall fitness in a sustainable, yet fun way. Mainly led by enthusiastic coach Laura, the class runs every Monday afternoon.

Barbara, Sylvia and Edward have all recently started the classes and are already seeing the benefits.

Sylvia is a few weeks into the classes and has found them beneficial so far, she said: “If I go to a normal exercise class it ends up hurting my knees and then I don’t go back, but coming here to do a seated class means it doesn’t hurt so I can keep exercising rather than not doing it. When I was younger and fitter, I did Pilates and loved it, so it’s good to be back and it’s mainly on the core and we need our core so it’s great.”

Edward was referred to the class from his doctor and has continued to attend classes. He said: “I was referred to the classes by my doctor for my balance as I was walking around like a drunken sailor half the time. I’ve attended balance classes and then I asked if there was anything else I can do to keep up doing exercises, so I’ve come to seated Pilates and other classes a few times a week. I’ve seen a big difference, actually a massive difference and if it wasn’t for my balance I wouldn’t have come along. I’m learning loads, I can stay healthy for longer and I think that’s great.”

Barbara joins the fitness class but takes part in the other sessions like arts too. She speaks highly of the social element of the classes: “There’s a social aspect to these lessons too, it’s seeing people, making friends, sharing experiences and hobbies with others. It would be great to see more people of our generation getting into these classes as it’s been fantastic for me.”

Amber Brady, Health & Wellness Lead Coordinator for Age UK North Tyneside, said, “We’re absolutely delighted to have received this funding. It’s helped us reach even more customers and allowed us to make a real difference to the lives of older people in North Tyneside. Our classes are a fantastic way for people to stay active and build lasting friendships, improving both their physical and mental wellbeing and helping us to end loneliness across the borough.”

Cllr Karen Clark, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing at North Tyneside Council, said: “Exercise has lots of benefits for everyone, but we know that for older residents it can be harder to exercise as classes are more difficult to access. It’s great to see a local charity supporting these residents to engage in exercise and offer a format that is effective yet sustainable for those taking part. I’m delighted that through the Health Inequalities Fund we’re able to support organisations to establish offers like these that have a real benefit for our residents.”

The Health Inequalities Fund, developed by the members of the Better Together group and managed by North Tyneside VODA, awarded grants of between £10,000 and £30,000 to 14 Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector organisations in Summer 2022.

All funded activities focus on delivering outcomes relating to the key themes of the recently published Equally Well strategy for North Tyneside – ‘Equal life chances for all’, ‘Thriving places and communities’ and ‘Maintaining independence’.

To find out more about Age UK North Tyneside’s Health & Wellness groups, call the Health & Wellness team on 07974 185 070 or email [email protected].

March 2023

Healthy body, healthy mind: charity using exercise to manage mental health conditions.

A mental health charity in North Tyneside is encouraging residents to look after their mental health through exercise.

Tyneside and Northumberland Mind’s 12-week programme supports people to improve their physical and mental health and to manage their conditions through gym sessions.

The charity provides members with individual assessments and workout plans which can include co-ordinated sessions with a personal trainer at a local gym where they’ll become members.

By supporting customers with their confidence in the gym, it looks to create a long-term change in people’s lives by providing a place where they can go to focus on their wellness.

Lesley Booth, a North Tyneside resident, has been taking part in the programme and now enjoys her visits to the local gym. She said: “I think the programme is a great idea, it’s for people who, like me, may have dealt with issues and want support.

“It’s good to have the encouragement and support to get out and do something and be alongside like-minded people. We get lots of other support too.”

Alongside the gym membership and classes, those on the course are offered access to specialist seminars where they’re helped with subjects to aid mental wellness including nutrition and sleep.

Once the three-month personal training is over, customers can continue on at the gym for a further six months to help it become a routine. At the end of the six months, there’s opportunities to continue to exercise.

Andrew Thorp, Wellbeing Coach, for Tyneside and Northumberland Mind, is coordinating the programme; “Since we started the programme, we’ve had 5 groups of members take part and they’ve all overcome personal barriers.

“I’ve seen how much members enjoy the gym sessions. They’ve told me how it’s made a positive impact to their lives, in how their physical health and crucially how they feel emotionally.”

Tyneside and Northumberland Mind has the opportunity to support four people through their level two gym qualifications, they promote access to local wellness groups and they can support people by further renewing their gym membership.

The programme was made possible thanks to almost £30,000 funding from the Health Inequalities Fund which is hosted by VODA and funded by North Tyneside Council and the NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board.

Since receiving the funding in June 2022 the charity has supported a variety of residents, on the recent course was Kathleen Watson. She said “I was already getting weighed weekly through the Cedarwood trust and this was just another great opportunity to do a bit of exercise and keep fit. I’m loving it.”

Rosalind has also been taking part and she’s full of praise for the programme: “It’s been brilliant, I’ve been on a bit of a health kick and exercise was the last bit of the puzzle to change my lifestyle. It’s been really good.”

Cllr Karen Clark, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing at North Tyneside Council, said: “It’s well known that exercising can be really beneficial for our mental health and it’s fantastic to be able to support a vital charity like Tyneside Mind to support residents to get into the gym and see the positive results it can have.

“Sometimes just getting to the gym can be really nerve racking, so to be able to fund and support people to become comfortable in the setting and to help them on their journey is brilliant. The feedback from those on the programme shows just how great it is.

“The health inequalities fund is all about reaching people in our communities and helping them to improve their health and this project is doing just that.”

Dr Alexandra Kent, Medical Director for the NENC ICB (North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board) and a North Tyneside GP.

“Mental health is just as important as physical health. This scheme will give local people in North Tyneside the support needed to improve their health and wellbeing. People will have more accessible, affordable, and quieter spaces for exercise as well as a range of resources to help support and motivate them. ”

The Health Inequalities Fund, developed by the members of the Better Together group, awarded grants of between £10,000 and £30,000 to fourteen Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector organisations in Summer 2022.

All funded activities focus on delivering outcomes relating to the key themes of the recently published Equally Well strategy for North Tyneside – ‘Equal life chances for all’, ‘Thriving places and communities’ and ‘Maintaining independence’.

ENDS

Laura Bolden, North Tyneside Council