Can you tell us a little more about the online exercise classes that you are currently running in partnership with Re-engage in Wales?

We started our classes during lockdown to help older people in Wales connect with others and remain mobile during a challenging time.  For now, all of our classes are online but we’re hoping to move to face-to-face classes within the next few weeks.

Most of our participants are aged 75 and over, although we are able to allow some flexibility around this and we look at each individual on a case-by-case basis.  Our classes take places once a week, they are free to attend, and we usually have around twenty people at each class. 

We start off every session with a bit of a chat and then we move on to our weekly mobility exercises. 

What are the benefits of your online exercise classes?

People come to make friends and to share common interests. We usually have a talking point for each session to encourage chat, so that our participants can get to know each other a bit better.  We want to widen their social circles during a difficult time.

And then of course there are the physical benefits.  Our classes focus on the muscles that we use every day so that day to day activities such as walking up and down stairs or pouring the kettle become easier.

Can you tell us a bit about the Dragons Rugby team and why you decided to partner with Re-engage?

Dragons are a professional rugby team, based in South Wales. We also have a community department whose goal is to connect Dragons Rugby to our communities and vice versa, working with as many vulnerable groups as possible. 

We have sixteen different community provisions encompassing: sport, education, inclusion, outreach, health and wellbeing. Our partnership with Re-engage is a great example of our health and wellbeing provision.   During the pandemic we also set up our award-winning Dragons Deliver initiative to support vulnerable members of society with collections and deliveries of prescriptions and essentials. The initiative extended support to deliver free school meals and equipment to pupils and families isolating.

How is teaching online different to teaching face-to-face?

Teaching online comes with its own challenges and we have had to adapt, particularly given that we are working with vulnerable groups within the community.  Teaching online has been as much as an education for us as it has been about engagement. 

Do you have any tips for our older readers?

My first tip would be that you should try to remain mobile.  If you can, try to make sure that you are active between five to six times a day, for at least five minutes. 

This could include simple arm strengthening exercises. Start by holding a can of beans in one hand and gently lift it to your shoulder, bending your elbow, before slowly lowering your arm again.

Walking up and down the stairs a couple of times can be a great form of exercise and gently stretching your limbs is equally important. 

My second tip would be to drink plenty of water throughout the day and finally, to try to get some fresh air every day.  The mind and the body work in sync and just taking in fresh air will make you feel better overall.