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The Southern Trust  and RoSPA have organised a series of 'Stay Steady' classes to help prevent falls in older people.

The classes focus on strengthening your legs to make day-to-day life easier and improve mobility. 

Featuring simple activities and exercise techniques the classes help improve balance and reduce the risk of falling. They are running in local leisure centres including Newry, Armagh, Dungannon and Portadown

Sandra Crawford, Senior Physiotherapist Falls Team, Southern Trust,  Joanne McElmeel, Falls Co-Ordinator,  Southern Trust, Pauline Herbinson – Public Health Officer, RoSPA and Lisa McAliskey, Community Health Improvement Officer, Southern Trust pictured at the launch of their new community strength and balance resources at Mullinure Health and Wellbeing Centre
Sandra Crawford, Senior Physiotherapist Falls Team, Southern Trust,  Joanne McElmeel, Falls Co-Ordinator,  Southern Trust, Pauline Herbinson – Public Health Officer, RoSPA and Lisa McAliskey, Community Health Improvement Officer, Southern Trust pictured at the launch of their new community strength and balance resources at Mullinure Health and Wellbeing Centre

The Trust has been piloting an extension to the classes into rural areas including South Armagh, Kilkeel and Warrenpoint. Lurgan Neighbourhood Renewal Area also has a weekly class and it is hoped that the pilot will continue and expand to cover other areas across the Trust.

“As we get older, our muscle strength and balance reduces and this can affect our ability to stay steady on our feet, making falls more likely. Serious injuries as a result of falls can then then lead to hospitalisation and a loss of independence,” explained Gerard Rocks, Assistant Director for Promoting Wellbeing in the Southern Trust. 

“Exercises designed to improve muscle strength can reduce your risk of a fall by improving your posture, coordination and balance.”

To register or to get further information on a class near you, contact the Southern Trust Falls Coordinator, Joanne McElmeel on 028 3756 4909 or by email on Falls.Coordinator@southerntrust.hscni.net or  Community Health Improvement Officer Lisa McAliskey on 028 3756 3952.

The Classes

Location

Days

Times

Drumbeg Community House

Wednesdays

12.30 – 1.30pm

ABC Community Centre

Wednesdays (until 25 March)

10 – 11am

Teac Shona Mullaghbawn

Tuesdays 

2.30 – 3.30pm

Rathkeel House Crossmaglen

Wednesdays

2.30 – 3.30pm

Kilkeel development association

Tuesdays

11am – 12noon

The Fold Mullaghbawn

Tuesdays

2.30pm

Crossmaglen Centre

Wednesdays

2.30pm

Salvation Army Lurgan

Fridays

10am

 

 

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