Angela C Age 51 from Saltburn

Angela C age 51 from Saltburn

Angela joined the “Healthy Me”, Ways to Wellbeing course in October 2015. The aim of this course is to boost the mind and body through the use of exercise and good food. In the exercise classes Angela experienced chair yoga, stretching, relaxation and chair exercise with weights and resistance bands. In the cookery classes Angela experienced making healthy avocado wraps, feel good flapjacks, easy tuna pasta and quick loaf in four steps.

Angela has worked part timeas a Secretary for the past 6 years; she is generally in good health and does not suffer any major problems. Angela has however, developed a low mood over the years and has got out of the habit of meeting new people - generally staying in the house rather than getting out and socialising.
Prior to the course Angela was put off going to exercise classes, she did not think that she would cope. She would see people dressed in gym kit, looking confident and she felt intimidated by them. /
/ When Angela saw the Ways to Wellbeing courses advertised in the Adult Learning brochure for 2015/16 she felt that this may be the course for her – a chance to build confidence in a small group setting, joining together with like-minded people. She felt that other courses in the brochure seemed to be aimed at people with more experience than her and she would have been frightened to join them.
Right from the start, Angela felt that she was put at ease on the course. She was welcomed in to the group and felt that the tutors did not have any “airs or graces”.
Angela says that she “really enjoyed each session, it was lovely to meet new people and the class totally brought me out of myself” She describes her tutors as very supportive, making her feel that she could do anything that she set her mind to. She was glad that she did not feel intimidated as she had in other classes. Angela is amazed at what she has got out of the exercise and she wishes that the class could carry on. She has been given the confidence to go and have a look at other exercise classes and will sign up in the new year when she has found the right one. Angela’s exercise tutor, Leigh Mellor said that “Angela was clearly beginning to feel the benefit of regular exercise. She mentioned how the exercise had made a difference to her mood and how she was feeling – even though it was only one session per week! She said that she would like to continue with the exercise after the class ended.” /
/ Angela described the cookery classes as excellent, prior to this she had seen cooking as a chore that she did not enjoy. She now finds it easier to cook, can do dishes much quicker and is keen to try new ingredients. Her cookery tutor Jill Stannard said that “Angela grew so much in confidence during the course. She tried new ingredients and recipes, she even made bread which she had never tried before - so this was a completely new experience.”
Angela had heard that exercise was good for you but now she can actually feel the benefit of regular exercise and is keen to join a local class to continue the work started in Healthy Me. She intends to join the Yoga for all abilities class in January 2016.