04 May 2007 39/07

A healthy way to say ‘thank you’

 

Southampton Solent University is hosting a special Tea Party on Thursday, 8 May to thank volunteers who took part in an innovative physical activity programme to improve the health of adults with a range of chronic conditions or disabilities.

 

The volunteers will join their student fitness instructors and guests from Southampton City Council and other partnership organisations, to celebrate the programme’s success.

 

Students from Level 2 BA (Hons) Health and Fitness Management designed one-to-one exercise programmes for the ‘Exercise Management for Special Populations’ unit of their course.

 

Working over a 12 week period, the students devised a safe and effective personalised exercise programme to provide health benefits for their individual clients. Continual assessment and monitoring ensured that the client’s needs were met.

 

Former BBC Radio Solent sailing correspondent, Dennis Skillicorn, was one of the 14 volunteers who participated in the programme along with his wife Marie, who has complications relating to Parkinson’s disease. He says:

 

"I have been learning to stretch my body and finding out that I can once again do the things that I used to. It’s making me feel young again! The young future teachers have been fantastic and we have both enjoyed the experience."

 

Glynis Young, Unit Leader and Senior Lecturer on the BA (Hons) Health and Fitness Management course, adds:

 

"It has been great to see the enthusiasm and professional approach of the students and the wonderful rapport that developed between the students and their clients. It has also inspired many participants to carry on with exercise through their favourite sports and hobbies such as golf, cycling and gardening.

 

"It’s a perfect example of how the University likes to work with the community through its academic curriculum."

 

MEDIA ENQUIRIES TO THE PRESS OFFICE, 023 8031 9040

 

More Southampton Solent University news can be found at: www.solent.ac.uk/news/|