Daventry 'falls classes' giving older people more confidence

Get Up and Go classes are run by the NHS's Integrated Care System and take place across the county

Older people who took part in falls prevention sessions said they were getting their confidence back.

The ICAN Get Up and Go classes, which take place across Northamptonshire, are aimed at mild to moderately frail people.

John Henley, from Daventry, said he might have "passed away" if he had not attended the sessions.

Lesley Wake, who took ten months to recover from a bad fall, said the classes gave her confidence.

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Falls affect around a third of over-65s in the UK and cost the economy £4bn a year. The government has said reducing the number of accidents is a priority.

According to a 2017 report published by the UK Health Security Agency, each year there are an estimated 255,000 falls-related emergency hospital admissions in England among over-65s.

Even when the physical effects of a fall have worn off, the loss of confidence can take much longer to heal.

John Henley said his health had improved greatly since he started coming to the classes

John Henley, who is 82, regularly attends the Get Up and Go classes in Daventry. He said: "I came because I had a couple of falls and ended up in hospital.

"I had just lost my wife so I was not in a good place. I came to the class and, within seven or eight weeks, I found I could get out to my car without grabbing all kinds of things.

"My health has just improved greatly," he added. "I don't know where I would have been now if I hadn't attended these classes - still stuck in my little hole or even passed away."

The sessions include exercises designed to improve strength, balance, mobility and confidence.

Gaining confidence

Darren Harper, who runs the session in Daventry, said they develop awareness of the body

Darren Harper, who leads the sessions at the Reach for Health Centre in Daventry, said: "By allowing the person to exercise or to become confident in themselves, developing more awareness of their body, the more they can do in day-to-day activities.

"They are also becoming more confident in their range of movements."

The programme is free and runs for 24 weeks. Participants can be referred by a health or care professional.

Lesley Wake said the sessions helped her get her confidence back after a nasty fall

Ms Wake took ten months to get better after a fall, but the classes have made her very positive: "I've just gained that confidence by coming here and I can feel the difference in my muscles.

"I've got a long way to go but I've just enjoyed it."