Residents in Lyttelton have been improving their mobility and general fitness every Tuesday at a local Strength and Balance class, developed specifically to provide for the portside community.

Held at the Trinity Hall in the Lyttelton Recreation Centre, the class comes as a much-needed option for those in the community seeking a local exercise class designed for those wanting to get active.

Anne Jolliffe, a long term Lyttelton resident, was delighted to see a class starting up again in the area. “For many years we had a class for older people down here, but then attendance dropped away due to age and earthquakes.”

A collaborative approach between Sport Canterbury’s Green Prescription Team Leader, Abby Wilson and Live Stronger for Longer’s Project Lead, Rebecca Logan saw this class come about.

An average of 20 participants turn up each week to take part in a range of different activities and exercises aimed to improve general fitness and mobility as well as cognitive exercises to help with everyday stability.

The class has been a hit with the locals and those in surrounding suburbs. Carol Hodgson, a regular attendee at the Tuesday classes reflects this notion: “I have arthritis, so the locality is ideal for me. It’s also good to get out and meet new people in my community.”

Anne adds further to this; “I have been delighted to see as many as 22 people here in one session.”

“People come to practice balance skills for day to day living that we need to keep us away from the doctor.”

Led each week by Abby and her team, the class has now been running for 10 week weeks. Sport Canterbury will continue to support the programme, building capability within the community with the intention for it to become community led.

The locals who have turned out each week have themselves to thank for the class becoming a permanent fixture in the Lyttelton community calendar. This is very exciting for all involved and can be considered a “great success," according to Abby.

Come along on a Tuesday to support this local class.

- Trinity Hall, Lyttelton Recreation Centre

- 10.30 to 11.30am 

- $3 per session

- Coffee and tea provided after the class

For more information, please contact Sport Canterbury on 03 373 5060.

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