Residents at The Dunes are getting active in armchairs thanks to a grant from the Travis Perkins Community Legacy fund.
The £500 grant will provide a year’s supply of fortnightly Armchair Zumba sessions for residents. The classes include light ‘Zumba-inspired’ exercises using the arms, torso and legs which can be done while remaining seated for the duration of the session.
Charis Gracie, Supported Living Co-ordinator at The Dunes, organised some of the exercise classes last year and received a lot of positive feedback from residents.
She contacted British builders’ merchant, Travis Perkins, which encourages businesses and colleagues to support local community activities in the areas they live and work, which was happy to provide further funding through its community fund.
Redcar-based The Dunes is an extra care scheme, owned by Coast & Country, which provides independent living for older people with a wide range of needs and abilities. The Dunes is home to 64 apartments and ages of its residents range from 57 to 98 years old.
Charis said: “Being able to continue our Armchair Zumba classes is fantastic. The sessions have brilliant benefits for residents with physical disabilities and dementia, as the exercises can help to improve mobility and have a really positive effect on mood.
“Providing a varied range of activities gives people the opportunity to try new things, meet people and strike up new friendships, which can lead to further social interaction outside of the sessions. We had some great feedback from the last round of classes, so I am thrilled that we are able to continue with them.”