East Renfrewshire Vitality Programme praised by locals
East Renfrewshire residents have praised an exercise programme, aimed at supporting those with medical conditions to be active and connected, whilst increasing their fitness levels.
Article Source: East Renfrewshire Culture & Leisure
Last Updated: 17 January 2024 12:46
East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure's Vitality programme grew by 40% in 2023, with over 7000 attendances and 200 new participants in 2023.
The exercise classes have been specifically designed to be suitable for people living with medical conditions, such as Parkinson's disease, stroke, cardiac conditions, and more. They offer gentle exercise, with four different levels, depending on ability and all classes improve strength, balance and overall fitness. Weekly classes take place in Clarkston, Eastwood and Barrhead.
Participant Elaine Greeves joined Vitality class in January 2023. She said: “It's just completely turned my life around. I had terrible problems with my hip and my knee on the right side and when I went to the GP they referred me to the Vitality class and a weight loss programme. I've been coming to the weekly Vitality classes at Eastwood Park Leisure, and sometimes Clarkston Hall and since January, I've lost four stone in weight. I can do squats now, I've made new friends at the classes and I feel great. If I can do it, anyone can do it!”
Gillian Wilson has been coming to classes for Vitality classes for six years. She said: “I would recommend Vitality to anyone who has an issue or may be worried about coming along to an exercise class. No one is made to feel out of place and you do it at your own pace. It brings your mood up and you feel as though you're doing something for yourself and your own health. The word Vitality sums it up. It's vital to people in my age group or people with health issues.”
Peter Phrase joined the weekly classes after having a heart attack in 2019. He said: “The benefit of coming along here, even with a condition but certainly as you're older, is you do vigorous exercise at a reasonably high level in a sustained way for two hours a week and then you supplement that with healthy eating, walking and cycling. It's an organised system and everyone is participating, it's disciplined and organised. The staff are really good at what they do and they look after you.”
Councillor Andrew Anderson, East Renfrewshire's Convener for Education, Equalities, Culture and Leisure, attended the Vitality end of year party in 2023. He said: “It's vitally important for the participants to get out, socialise and be more active and it gives a very good sense of community.”
Council Leader Owen O'Donnell, who also attended the celebration, said: “The classes are important to people. Everyone loves the Vitality programme, it's a big part of their lives. It gives them a routine for one or two days a week and something to look forward to and gives them a chance to go out and meet like-minded people and do some exercise. It's really inspiring hearing about the Vitality programme and the impact it's having and also that so many new people want to join. This is exactly the kind of activity that East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure and HSCP should be involved in to support the wellbeing of our elderly residents.”
East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure partners with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and East Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership to deliver services to the communities of East Renfrewshire. This includes supporting people with medical conditions to improve their physical and mental health through the Vitality programme. The classes are delivered by East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure's Active Health and Wellbeing team, which is made up of highly skilled and qualified instructors who work with each participant to ensure the correct class is recommended.
The Vitality programme also includes a new Parkinson's class, which is specifically designed for people with Parkinson's who are newly diagnosed or who have mild symptoms.
East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure's Chief Executive Anthony McReavy said: “We're incredibly proud of the Vitality programme and the support it provides in keeping residents in our community healthy and active. We've had wonderful feedback from participants, who enjoy the social aspect as well as the exercise element.
“I want to thank our Active Health and Wellbeing team - I know that their support and encouragement keeps participants coming back to classes and we look forward to another successful year of our Vitality programme in 2024.”
If you are interested in Vitality, please get in touch with our Vitality Co-ordinator, Pamela Nesbitt on pamela.nesbitt@ercultureandleisure.org.
You can also find more information on Vitality on our website www.ercultureandleisure.org
Sponsored Links
Latest East Renfrewshire News
Environmental focus at East Renfrewshire Libraries
East Renfrewshire Libraries have partnered with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) to deliver a brand new programme of events and activities.
READ MORE
The Scottish Caravan, Motorhome and Holiday Home Show returns to Glasgow
Here's everything you need to know about the biggest show of its kind in Scotland!
READ MORE
Stellar line up of leaders unite to influence a better future of work in Scotland
Award winning authors, a former SAS soldier, along with HR leaders from Scotland’s top employers are among the speakers for the CIPD Scotland Annual Conference, 2025.
READ MORE
Brand new experience to celebrate Mothers Day at Dobbies
This March, Dobbies Garden Centres is offering a new hands-on Mother's Day experience, combining a luxury Afternoon Tea with a seasonal planting workshop.
READ MORE
Three community projects are to receive funding to plant more trees in cities and towns across Scotland
A community orchard, tree planting and community wellbeing initiative and a local nature reserve are the first projects to benefit from the Urban Forestry Programme.
READ MORE
Free and great value half term activities at Dobbies
Dobbies Garden Centres is offering great value entertainment for families this February half term.
READ MORE
itison Us charity call out
itison Us have thousands of free respite experiences available for small Scottish charities.
READ MORE
Pavilion Festival Unveils 2025 Lineup with James, Ewan McVicar, Annie Mac, Ben Hemsley, Happy Mondays and more
Pavilion Festival has today announced the huge lineup for its third year on Ayr Beach with James, Annie Mac, Happy Mondays, Ewan McVicar, Ben Hemsley and more playing live!
READ MORE
Council marks Holocaust Memorial Day
East Renfrewshire Council hosted this year's Holocaust Memorial Day event on Wednesday 29th January and the theme was For A Better Future.
READ MORE
Trust launches storm appeal following extensive damage across Scotland
The National Trust for Scotland has launched an appeal to support emergency work needed to deal with the devastating destruction caused by Storm Éowyn.
READ MORE
Galactic Carnival is landing in Glasgow
Scotland’s favourite out-of-this-world event, Galactic Carnival, is preparing to launch in Glasgow this spring, promising an intergalactic adventure packed with thrills!
READ MORE
Scottish Caravan, Motorhome and Holiday Home Show launches a mythical map of Scotland with lead Scottish tour company
The biggest show of its kind in Scotland has partnered with Andy The Highlander to create an Enchanted Map of Scotland's most enchanted locations.
READ MORE
Scottish hospitality group serves up new digital loyalty scheme to cut customer bills
Scottish hospitality group, Signature, has launched an innovative new digital loyalty scheme to help cost-conscious customers save money dining out.
READ MORE
Scottish Golf events go LIVE for 2025
Top amateurs and handicap golfers can now sign up for one or more of Scottish Golf's 33 championships in a packed 2025 schedule.
READ MORE
Live Music Now Scotland announces unparalleled new award
Live Music Now Scotland is delighted to announce a funding award of £150,000 from Elizabeth Lornie's Charitable Trust.
READ MORE
Pavilion Festival returns to Ayr Beach with Saturday lineup curated by Ewan McVicar
Pavilion Festival Presents: Ewan McVicar B2B Ben Hemsley, special guest Annie Mac, along with DJ Seinfeld, Sally C, Robert Hood (Floorplan) and more on Saturday 3rd May!
READ MORE
BBC Debate Night returns for 2025
BBC Scotland's topical TV programme Debate Night returns this month and they are searching for people to be part of the big studio audience.
READ MORE
Celebrate Chinese New Year with a roster of blockbusters at Vue venues in Scotland
Vue venues across Scotland will be showcasing a mixture of the latest big screen blockbusters from China as well as an anniversary screening of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
READ MORE
Dobbies free February workshops
Dobbies Garden Centres’ popular Little Seedlings Club and Grow How workshops return for February, inviting gardeners and families to get hands-on at these free sessions.
READ MORE
Vitality programme gives locals a new lease of life
East Renfrewshire residents who joined a targeted exercise programme for people living with medical conditions have vowed to continue prioritising their health and wellbeing in 2025.
READ MORE
Pawsome New Year Resolutions remove over 39 million pieces of litter
Dog owners making an environmental New Year Resolution have boosted the ranks of the “PAWS ON PLASTIC’ charity to 27,000.
READ MORE
IRN BRU team up with YO! to offer haggis sushi to reimagine Burns Supper in Glasgow
IRN-BRU and YO! are reimagining Burns Suppers, teaming up to fuse sushi with haggis to help Glaswegians celebrate Scotland's National Day with a 2025 twist.
READ MORE
Delve into the past with local heritage classes
Local residents can delve into the past and discover more about their family tree, house history and local history research with East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure's series of heritage sessions.
READ MORE
Border Caravans Announced as Headline Sponsor of the Scottish Caravan, Motorhome and Holiday Home Show
The Scottish Caravan, Motorhome and Holiday Home Show is delighted to announce Border Caravans as the new headline sponsor for this year's event.
READ MORE
Hopeful parents across Glasgow are invited to adoption event
Kibble Adoption, the newly launched service from the children's care charity, is inviting people to join them for an event that highlights the benefits of adoption for both parents and children.
READ MORE
World Gaelic Week unveils largest programme to date
Seachdain na Gàidhlig has unveiled details of its most diverse, ambitious and largest programme to date, bringing together speakers, learners and enthusiasts from across Scotland and beyond.
READ MORE
Work EastRen can help kick start your new year
East Renfrewshire Council's employability service, Work EastRen, is ready to help local residents find work this New Year.
READ MORE
Stay Active this January at Gravity Active
Don’t let the shorter days and chilly weather get you down this January, stay active and experience boundless fun at Gravity Active!
READ MORE
Strike a PAWse: Brand new Valentine event for dogs at Dobbies
Dobbies is encouraging paw-rents across the UK to show their pooches some love this Valentine's Day at its brand-new dog event that will raise money for national dog welfare charity, Dogs Trust.
READ MORE
First Minister John Swinney launches the Doddie Aid 2025 campaign
Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney launches the Doddie Aid 2025 campaign at Murrayfield stadium.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links