THANKS to National Lottery Funding, Somerset Age UK are looking for volunteers in Frome to join their volunteer training programme, to bring shibashi tai chi classes to the town.
Somerset Age UK say, “Volunteers will take part in a free training programme, which will qualify them to lead a shibashi tai chi qi gong class in their community.
“This particular shibashi form means ‘18 moves’ in Chinese; it is easy to learn and its effects are proven, helping to improve the blood pressure, balance, co-ordination and strength of participants.
“Volunteers will be fully trained and then supported to run local classes on behalf of the charity. The charity is running two training programmes in July and September this year.
“We already run ‘Stay Strong Stay Steady’ classes in the town. These classes follow the Otago programme, which is an evidence-based programme that helps people with a history of falls, or those who have a fear of falling.
“Widely delivered in hospitals as part of a falls rehabilitation programme, Age UK Somerset classes continue this training in the community. Participants who successfully complete this programme are able to move onto more regular activities like shibashi tai chi, to ensure they remain mobile and independent.
“Every day in Somerset, around eight people over the age of 65 are admitted to hospital as a result of a fall. By holding falls prevention classes like Stay Strong Stay Steady and Shibashi Tai Chi, Age UK Somerset aim to reduce the volume of injurious falls that occur.”
For more information about Age UK Somerset’s classes or the volunteer training programme, please contact them on 01823 345626 or visit their website www.ageuksomerset .org.uk
