Falls prevention classes get Cheshire East residents confidence back.

By jadegriffin January 25, 2019

Our fabulous members share the benefits they have noticed since joining our Be Steady Be Safe programme.

Having a fall can be a terrifying experience and we are here to help with our falls prevention programme. Be Steady Be Safe is a free 24 week Otago exercise programme, consisting of 15 strength and balance exercise classes, prescribed home exercises and education of reducing falls risk factors. Helping you to increase your confidence, remain independent and in your own home for longer.

The exercise programme consists of a set of leg muscle strengthening and balance retraining exercises, progressing in difficulty, and a walking plan. You will receive a booklet with instructions for each exercise prescribed and issued ankle cuff weights in the class to provide resistance for the strengthening exercises.

Our Inspiring Members Stories

Irene Torkington, aged 91 

Irene Be Steady Be Safe

“I have really enjoyed coming to the “Be Steady Be Safe” exercise classes.  I feel much fitter and the exercises are not too difficult and seem to have improved my balance and movement. I would recommend this class to anyone who is having difficulty with movement and balance and is prone to falling.”

Wendy Ramsay

Wendy Be Steady Be Safe

“I find that my sessions with “Be Steady Be Safe” have helped me enormously.  I now move with a freedom and confidence that I didn’t have before.  During my time with the group I have had a complete knee replacement and returned only two weeks after surgery to find that Angela, who is an excellent tutor, was able to slowly guide me through what I could do with great care and consideration.” 

Rosemary Clegg

Rosemary Be Steady Be Safe

Rosemary’s test scores have all very much improved since joining Be Steady Be Safe:

  • Her Get Up and Go has improved from 16 secs to 10 secs
  • Huge improvement in balance tests
  • She has scored the programme highly
  • Rosemary said she “strongly agrees” that the classes have improved her “quality of life” and “her joints feel more mobile.”  

Rosemary’s comments “This is an excellent programme. Angela is a very caring & helpful instructor who makes everyone part of the lesson, including those less abled people. My knee has improved and I believe my balance is better.”  

Mary Dickinson

Mary who attends the Be Steady Be Safe classes in Sandbach shares: “The classes are absolutely super – I had balance and strength problems and it has improved tremendously since doing these “happy” classes.  It has been a very positive experience.  Something else which is good is at the end of the class we get together and have tea and cakes (if we are celebrating someone’s birthday) – the classes have helped me settle so well and everyone is friendly. 

My balance is much better –I was on the verge of using a stick and now I feel more confident and don’t need a stick.”

Classes are held across Cheshire East, at various venues, days and times, delivered by Everybody Leisure’s Otago Leaders. Spaces are now available to book on to in Macclesfield, Handforth, Poynton, Congleton, Wilmslow and Knutsford.

If you would like to access the programme you must be:

  • A Cheshire East resident
  • Aged 65 years and over

And have one or more of the following:

  • Fallen in the past 12 months
  • Poor balance and mobility
  • Osteoporosis

For further information or to book on to our programme, please contact Everybody Healthy: Email: [email protected] 

Check out our video below to see the class in action and to meet some more of our inspiring members who have made incredible changes to their lives: