Care home residents do outdoor exercise sessions in 'imaginative and inspiring locations'

Residents at in Merton, Bicester have been taking part in outdoor exercise sessions on the beach, on an ice rink and at the fairground.

As a result of the ‘Al Fresco’ sessions, residents have seen their mobility improve, there has been an increase in social interaction and greater positivity and engagement.

Activity coordinator Sharon Wheeler, who was trained by Oomph!, which provides exercise and activity sessions to the care sector, said: “When we visited South Sea, we took a stroll along the beach front and watched the boats and the hovercraft.

“Then we stopped and had a traditional fish ‘n’ chip lunch and after we had finished we walked a bit further up and ran an Oomph! session with our residents on the beach, the residents stayed in their wheelchairs and took part. We gathered quite a crowd of spectators who stopped and watched, many of them clapping along.

The residents from Manor House care home also went on a trip to Oxford Ice Rink. “The residents were wrapped up nice and warm and safely in their wheelchairs. Then we all participated in an Oomph! session on ice which everyone really enjoyed. For all but one of the residents it was the first time they had ever been on the ice…. After the Oomph! class we skated round and round the ice rink with the residents.

“After a cold session on the ice, we went to the café to warm up with a mug of hot chocolate and a cake. We finished our trip with a sing song in the café,” said Ms Darbyshire.

Activity coordinators Sharon Wheeler and Amber Darbyshire were recently recognised for their engaging and dedicated approach by Oomph!

Manor House was chosen from hundreds of care homes nationally that have delivered Oomph! sessions.

Ms Darbyshire said: “We’re thrilled to have won this award. We know that regular exercise has a very positive impact on residents’ health, wellbeing and happiness - by making it so much fun it’s easier for us all to keep at it. We are really excited to keep on developing new ways to support residents to keep fit and active, and Oomph! enables us to support each resident to exercise in a way that is fun and accessible to them. Through co-designing classes with residents, they are fully engaged throughout the process and the end result is that the routines are enjoyable for everyone involved.”

Manor House resident, Sylvia Jessup, who has seen improved mobility as a result of the classes, said: “Oomph! makes me feel great. The exercises are really fun, and I enjoy shaking the pom-poms around in the air! There is always lots of singing and dancing which makes me happy, and I always look forward to Oomph! classes.”

Manor House service manager, Jane Ritchie added: “At Manor House we are dedicated to delivering a wide variety of activities which are tailored to the interests and abilities of residents. Activities which bring together colour, movement and music are highly beneficial and therapeutic for residents living with dementia and complex conditions, and the benefits of Oomph! classes have resonated through Manor House. Residents are enthusiastic about exercising at a pace which suits them, and relatives are delighted about the positive changes they see in their loved ones.”