Community team colleagues try out our exercise classes

As we embed our new community care service, our expert teams continue to work together to provide specialist holistic support to those who need it most. Recently, colleagues from our Community team took part in taster therapy sessions to gain a clearer understanding of our exercise classes, enabling them to confidently and accurately refer individuals based on their needs. 

Beth Wotton, Therapy Technician, Dorota Kaminska, Senior Physiotherapist, and Jo Coltart, Therapies and Wellbeing Manager, expertly led the sessions, sharing more details about the different classes and demonstrating some of the exercises. 

The aim of these sessions was to give the Community team a better understanding of the exercise classes we offer, so they are better equipped to: 

• Identify people on their case load who may benefit from attending specific classes and make appropriate referrals based on individual needs and abilities 

• Educate patients and family members about the classes we offer and their associated benefits  

• Educate other healthcare professionals about the classes we offer so they have a better understanding of the care we provide and can signpost their patients accordingly. 

Jo Coltart said: 

“Since the changes to our community service, the Physiotherapy team have seen a reduction in referrals to our exercise classes. So, with the support of the community doctors and the Community Manager, we wanted to find a way to educate our colleagues about the classes that we offer at the hospice. We decided the best way to do this was for the Community team to experience the classes themselves! By having the opportunity to use the equipment first-hand and ask as many questions as they wanted, staff would find it easier to promote our classes to patients and refer those who might benefit.” 

The taster sessions included a brief overview of: 

Seated Exercise Class, Tuesday at 11.30am and Thursday at 1.30pm  

• A fun, chair-based class designed to improve muscle strength, flexibility, and breathlessness 

• A 12-week programme, where each person is provided with their own exercise plan to continue with at home 

• Five people per session so each person is given the necessary amount of attention, and personalised adaptations can be provided whilst they are exercising. 

Standing Circuit Class, Friday at 11.30am 

• Designed to improve muscle strength, balance and co-ordination, and breathlessness 

• Led by our physiotherapists in our hospice gym 

• Includes balance exercises, weight training, exercise bike, and treadmill 

• 8-week programme, with each session lasting 45 minutes. 

Drop-in Gym, Monday 11.30am – 12.30pm, Tuesday 2pm – 3pm, Friday 10am – 11am  

• A chance for people to use our hospice gym and the equipment at their own pace 

• A member of the Therapy team is available to support if needed and can help with setting personalised exercise goals 

• Booking is still required, but it allows patients to exercise how they choose. 

Susie Mockridge, Community Clinical Nurse Specialist, attended one of the taster sessions. Susie said: 

“It was really helpful to get a good insight into what the classes entail. It has enabled me to talk to patients in more detail about what is involved and what to expect. It has also been helpful for me in signposting patients appropriately and according to their abilities.” 

By sharing more about these classes, we hope more people will be able to benefit from the expertise of our Therapy team and make use of the fantastic facilities in our new hospice. 

For more information about our hospice classes, check out our Wellbeing Calendar. Attendance at all our sessions is by referral only, so please speak with your St Catherine’s care team, or email stch.wellbeing@nhs.net, to discuss whether they’re suitable for you or your loved one.