Media Release
Long COVID-19 Rehabilitation Exercise Programme first to Launch in Cheshire East
Everybody Sport and Recreation will be launching the very first Long COVID-19 Rehabilitation Exercise Programme in Cheshire East from the 14th June 2021.
Everybody Sport and Recreation is the first organisation in Cheshire East offering this service to long COVID participants. The pilot will target those 18 years and over, who are suffering with the effects caused by COVID-19 e.g. fatigue, breathlessness, mobility issues, poor mental wellbeing etc and need support.
The NHS shares that “There are lots of symptoms you can have after a COVID-19 infection. Common long COVID symptoms include: extreme tiredness (fatigue), shortness of breath, chest pain or tightness, problems with memory and concentration (“brain fog”), difficulty sleeping (insomnia), heart palpitations, dizziness, pins and needles, joint pain, depression and anxiety, tinnitus, earaches, feeling sick, diarrhoea, stomach aches, loss of appetite, a high temperature, cough, headaches, sore throat, changes to sense of smell or taste, rashes.”
Everybody Sport and Recreation, Health and Wellbeing Charity based in Cheshire East recognises the importance of supporting their community and those suffering from ‘long COVID.’ The pilot programme, which will be free for participants to access, is being self-funded by Everybody Sport and Recreation and will be delivered at Crewe Lifestyle Centre and Macclesfield Leisure Centre.
Donna Williamson Senior Manager- Health at Everybody Sport and Recreation shares
“Currently, within Cheshire East there is no Rehabilitation Exercise Programme available for residents who are affected by Long COVID. After discussions with our health partners we have recognised the vital support needed here to provide this service.
We will be the first organisation in Cheshire East to fund this pilot, making this a free service for participants to access and we look forward to working with Health Professionals in referring participants to this programme.”
She continues
“Our Specialist Health Instructors have all successfully completed their COVID-19 Rehabilitation Course through Future Fit Training Ltd.
Our Health Innovation Team will be delivering the pilot as a group exercise class, twice a week, for six weeks. There are two components to the programme, including an education component where participants learn about simple ways to cope and self-manage their problems and an exercise regimen where participants undertake a progressive exercise programme tailored to everyone’s needs and abilities.”
Exercise will be an important part of recovery, reducing fatigue and coping with anxiety and lifting mood.
On completion of the Rehabilitation programme, participants will be able to join Everybody’s Exercise Referral Scheme to aid long-term progression.
Chris Smith, Physiotherapy Team Manager in Nantwich shares
“We are experiencing rising NHS referral rates to MSK services as a result of lockdown easing.
Having such a specialist service to refer our patients to with long covid is of huge benefit to us. The needs of these patients can be tailored with specialist input allowing us to continue to focus on our own service pressure.”
The Long COVID-19 Rehabilitation Exercise Programme is currently a pilot and participants can only be referred via their GP or Health Professional at this stage.
If you are a GP or Health Professional and have a participant who you would like to refer, please contact Everybody Sport and Recreation via email: [email protected] or call 01270 685589.
If you are suffering from long COVID and would like to find out more information about this programme or to register your interest in other Everybody Healthy programmes, please visit: www.everybody.org.uk/what-we-offer/get-fit-and-healthy/health/ or contact the Everybody Healthy Team, email: [email protected] or call 01270 685589.
Ends.
Notes to Editor
Everybody Sport & Recreation – Everybody Sport and Recreation is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee. As a Health and Wellbeing Charity, Everybody Sport and Recreation aims to provide ‘leisure for life’ by changing lives through healthy recreation. The charity operates 16 leisure facilities across the Cheshire East region as well as a range of Health, Leisure Development and Outreach programmes and the new Everybody Academy, providing local training and career opportunities. For more information please visit: www.everybody.org.uk or follow on Twitter @ebleisure.
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