Footballer helps Warrington care village residents get fit

Residents living in a Belong community care village, Warrington, have been exercising to improve their fitness and well-being with a local footballer Aaron Williams.

Mr Williams plays for Grappenhall Sports FC and works as a fitness instructor for Belong and has been creating personalised exercise plans for people in Loushers Lane.

The exercise facilities at Loushers Lane are available for members of the community to use and include a range of specialist equipment for older people to use.

Mr Williams said: "I've played football all of my life and my family owned a gym when I was growing up, both of which have driven me to develop a keen interest in health and fitness. I studied Sport and Exercise Science from Edgehill University and it feels great to use the things that I've learned to help people living in Warrington.

“Belong is committed to helping people stay active and independent through regular exercise and I'm already seeing some terrific results from the people visiting our exercise studio.”

Mr Williams works for Belong as a fitness instructor and support worker, designing individual plans for residents using the onsite exercise studio to encourage residents to be active.

Resident at Belong Warrington, Peggy Gordon said: "My Dad was a doctor and always encouraged me and my seven siblings to take part in athletics and keep fit as youngsters. I thoroughly enjoy using the gym with Aaron. It gets my day off to a great start."

The benefits of regular exercise include a reduction in stiffness and pain, improvements to co-ordination and balance, as well as benefits to lower resident’s blood pressure and improvements their memory and mood.

The exercise initiative is based on Belong’s ‘Independence through Exercise’ programme which received global praise during the 2013 Excellence in Ageing Awards.

The exercise studio at Belong Warrington provides residents with a person-centred approach to exercise, with exercises and programmes tailored to older people, unlike most gyms.