I Think Cutting Activity for Life Funding Is a Good Option As in Knowsley Leisure Centres

Savings option: 13.13 – Cease funding for the community Activity for Life contract 2019/20
Comments

I think cutting activity for life funding is a good option as in knowsley leisure centres they have cardiac rehab and posture groups already in place via NHS. And most people only use it as a way of gaining free or cheap access to leisure centres , this would also give people the opportunity to take ownership of there conditions brought on by poor lifestyle choices .

Activity for life 12 week clinical programme. As an employee that has worked with the activity for life clinical programme I cannot stress enough the benefits of this funding for our local community. Not only the physical but the positive effects this programme has on our residents mental and social health..

The Activity For Life program is an excellent program that helps so many people and I would urge the council to continue with it. I started on the program approximately 8 years ago and it has changed my life. I never exercised but now I attend classes at least 4 days a week. The AFL Advisors are wonderful people who put everyone at ease and make exercise fun and accessible for all. I would hate this opportunity not to be available to others in the future so please keep this program going.

I would ask the Council not to cut the funding for Activity For Life free 3 month gym passes for the following reasons;
Public health in Knowsley is poor on a broad spectrum
AFL incentivises people to make the first steps to improve physical fitness which has measurable long term health benefits
These benefits result in long term demand and therefore cost reductions in Social services as well as NHS
In my experience those people who continue to exercise after the 3 month programme form the cornerstone of the leisure centre customers and thus contribute a significant element of the regular revenues. The majority of Silver members are "retired" and attend 2 or 3 group sessions of 30 to 100 members per week..

This is cost effective business.
The social element gives support for many people who may not have family.networks etc. Again this is a cost effective saving as prevention of future support costs.Please look elsewhere for these savings

I see that one of the potential areas for council spending cuts is the Activity For Life program. This is an excellent program that helps so many people and I would urge the council to continue with it.

Personally, I started on the program approximately 8 years ago. I had been made redundant and recently widowed so was at a very low point when I was referred by the doctor. I had never done any exercise since leaving school and was very unfit. Also I thought gyms were for skinny young people and would not have dreamed of going to one. The AFL Advisors are wonderful people who put everyone at ease and make exercise fun and accessible for all. The AFL program changed my life and I can't imagine where I'd be if I hadn't been sent on it. I still attend classes at least 4 days a week and have made many good friends at the Leisure Centre. I would hate this opportunity not to be available to others in the future.Please do what you can to keep this program going.

I am writing regarding the councils proposed plans to cut the funding for activity for life. I have worked on the AFL Team for 15 years. I cannot stress enough the benefits this programme brings to people in our community. Not only on a physical level. But mentally and socially too. Most of the referrals we receive are for people with medical conditions. We receive referrals direct from cardiac. Cancer and Pulmonary rehabilitation. As you can appreciate these clients can not just walk into a gym and be left to their own devices. It takes time. Support and education for these clients to feel comfortable in our Centres some of them never feel this hence why we also have an exit strategy that this funding is also used for. AFL also provides a social committee which is made up solely of Activity for life clients old and new This social committee organises days trips. Weekends away and support for all Activity for life members. Especially those members that otherwise would not be able to do this alone.

The importance of this service is such a crucial part of our community and would be a huge huge loss to Knowsley and most importantly to our community.

Here’s a little email to express my concerns about the possible future cut’s regarding the Activity For Life Funding.As I Healthy Lifestyle Advisor (the job title used to be an Activity For Life Advisor) I deal with the referred clients on a daily basis and have done for many years, the AFL Programme allows these people to make a positive impact to their health & wellbeing, lifestyle, physical capability, confidence and attitude towards exercise.

I’ve watched people walk through the door with serious medical problems (cardiac / pulmonary), mobility problems, mental health issues and low confidence. The AFL Programme give a platform for these people to make the necessary changes to their lifestyle in order for them to live a long and healthy future. A high percentage of these referrals go on to become FULL MEMBERS within our leisure centres and continue to exercise with us to this day. They then become an advert for new “ referrals” as new people feel inspired to take this path of exercise and lifestyle.Therefore I feel it will be a “BAD” move to cut the funding of the AFL Programme.

I am e.mailing you about the council not funding active for life in Kirkby. I have been going now for five years and it gets me out of the house of a day as well as meeting a lot of new friends I was referred to the classes because of health reasons and by going keeps me away from the doctors if I did not go to the centre I would miss it a lot hope the council can do something for the pensioners and the people with learning difficulties thanking you.

I have heard that Activity for Life is under review and may be closed. I was on this course a number of years ago with my wife at the old Huyton Leisure Centre run by Peter. He checked us out very thoroughly and he was a great help. While I was at Huyton there was a note advertising an Over Fifties club so I joined. It was run by Edna. It was the best thing I could have done.

I have been using the club ever since. Edna has retired and I help to run the club.So Activity for Life feeds into other things that the Leisure Centre provides keeping the numbers up. I am over eighty and my wife has died so I meet a group of friends twice a week on Monday and Wednesday.

Ten years ago I was suffering from type 2 diabetes. It was affecting my eyes and I couldn’t walk more than a hundred yards without stopping for a rest. After giving me the relevant medication, the doctor referred me to Activity for Life. The programme supported me back to a life of exercise and activity. Like many of Knowsley’s residents who came through the programme, I continue to exercise through its extended programme. I attend the Leisure Centre in Huyton every Monday morning to do aerobics with more than 50 pensioners and people returning to good health through exercise. Activity for Life has made exercise a social process which I am sure also supports our mental health.

As a result of Activity for Life I have been able to pay back to the Knowsley community by becoming a walk leader for the Stadt Moers Walking Group. I am informed that you are considering removing the financial support to the programme. May I ask you to reconsider this and reflect on the additional cost this would result in the social care and quality of life of our older residents.

I am writing to outline my experience of using Knowsley Leisure & Culture Park facilities and the Activity for LIFE Programme.

I have been a member of several gyms, around the country and overseas, continuously for over twenty-five years. In 2014, following injury from an assault and then major surgery to remove a tumor, I decided to change my provider and join Knowsley Leisure & Culture Park, primarily to give myself a ‘fresh’ experience and anonymity away from people who knew I had been unwell. Joining has been a truly amazing and rewarding experience and well worth the drive to get there!
What has impressed me the most is the ‘inclusiveness’ and ‘family friendly’ atmosphere. It truly is a place where people of all ages and abilities come together to keep fit and socialize. I can only praise the staff who are not only professional and hardworking but pleasant and have time for people. Every one pulls together and operates as a team and this is reflected in the members’ experience.
I would particularly like to thank Andy Perry who has enabled me to regain fitness by assisting in my rehabilitation. Before I joined Knowsley, I had many setbacks in my effort to gain a degree of fitness. I have been able to discuss my health issues in confidence with Andy, his advice and patience has brought back a level of fitness I thought I had lost.

My name is XXXX and I am a 66 year old Knowsley resident. I have been involved in the Activity For Life group for over 10 years.

I first became involved in Activity For Life during my employment at Knowsley’s Leisure Centres, and subsequently took part in the classes. Then having retired over 6 years ago on the suggestion of my doctor I became heavily involved in the classes and indeed look forward to going to them every week. I attend three classes a week, namely aerobics and circuit at KLCP and aerobics at Kirkby Leisure Centre.
One of my concerns when I retired was that I would stay at home and vegetate as I was living on my own and the Activity For Life classes were my main contact with the outside world. Indeed I met my partner through attending these classes. They are a great way of meeting people and making new friends and acquaintances.
For the last two years I have been a member of the Activity For Life Social Committee as Secretary and we, as a Committee, organise coach trips, afternoon and evening functions, and short breaks away at discounted prices. These occasions are always heavily subscribed and members really appreciate these very enjoyable times.
We have been informed that Knowsley Council are considering ending the Activity For Life scheme in their upcoming cutbacks and I would ask that you consider very seriously the effect this will have on the many members of this group.
It would appear that Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council are very keen to provide opportunities for young people in the area, but please don’t forget about us ‘older’ people who need regular exercise and means of contact with other like-minded people.

Press release – case study

NHS Knowsley press release – case study

Please don’t cut this service. My name is XXXX and I was referred by my Dr to the AFL. I started in Nov 2007 and I still attend classes 3 times a week.

This is a superb service helping people with all health needs. I am now 74, when I started I could only do 2mins on the tread mill, 6mths later I ran in the Knowsley 5K Challenge. A man from my group used walking sticks, after 6-8 weeks he walked out after a session and said he had forgotten something, it was his walking sticks!! There are around 80-100 people at the aerobics class, quite a few over 80 years old. No other classes that I know of will cater for our special needs. We just need to keep mobile with gentle exercise, not high impact training. It also has a social side with some making long lasting friendships which is good for people that live on their own. Keeping fit helps the N.H.S. Social Services Etc. Isn’t that what the government is encouraging people to do? Personally I don’t think you will save anything from cutting this activity but sure it will cost you more in the long run.
If I had joined the gym on my own account when I retired I don’t think I would be still going as it gets a bit boring but with a selection of classes and trainers from AFL encouraging and advising you it make the difference. Some people are still attending after 15 years. Please keep it so other people can benefit from it.

I was very concerned to hear that plans are afoot that may involve stopping the Activity for Life at the Knowsley Leisure centres.

I joined AFL almost seven years ago at Huyton leisure centre I joined to help with my diabetes I have been going for almost seven years now and mostly attend Knowsley leisure centre at huyton but go sometimes to Halewood I absolutely love going and after moving on from AFL and taking on a membership I attend The over 50s group monday and wednesday, do the walk on tuesday and play badminton on sundays.
I must just say that if I had not gone on AFL I would never even have known of the activities available This has helped me mentally, physically and socially!
I have met lots of new friends and we have a marvellous time together at knowsley leisure centre, Longview Drive. We find that we exercise, we have a good laugh and we meet socially as well. This has changed our lives for the better and we are all fitter and happier because of this! In fact some of us went on a holiday together last ,year and are going on another one this year Even on holiday we go walking and keep our minds active with quizzes Our lives have all been improved by AFL and the over 50s group I also used to go to aquacise and aerobics and some of my friends still do but I favour the Over 50s, walking and badminton At the Over 50s we play table tennis, badminton, tennis and some play bowls when the mat is out. At the moment the mechanism for rolling out the mat for bowls is awaiting repair.
Please do not stop AFL or the Over 50s or all the other activities we enjoy If we cant continue we will all feel sad and probably spend more time at the doctors as we wont keep as fit as we do. My diabetes is under control thanks to the activities at the leisure centre. We all love it there It has become our way of life! Please keep these things going.

Press release – case study

I am a 77 year old, who has osteoarthritis and osteoporosis, and attends Activity for Life sessions at theKirkby Leisure Centre (aerobics and circuit training). These classes have helped me to keep active andmobile. The class was recently informed that it was possible the Council may discontinue funding forthis scheme. I eamestly ask the Committee not to do this.

The AFL is more than a keep fit programme it is also a social experience and gives us the motivation tokeep active. Most of the members in my classes are elderly (60, 70 and even 80 years of age), We geta double benefit from the scheme as it is not only helping us to keep fit and active physically but alsomentally as we have to concentrate on moves and instructions etc.
There is then the social side of the scheme. We meet like-minded people and have made manyfriends, thus preventing loneliness for people who might otherwise not have the motivation to leave thehouse. Many of our group live alone having lost their partners and need the stimulation to carry on.
The Government would like to see more elderly people taking up keep fit in order to keep healthier and,therefore, be less dependent of Social Services etc. and the need to care of them. How can weachieve this without the facilities to do so?
We also have a social committee who arrange coach trips, social days and evenings and evenholidays. We would not be able to continue with these outings if we were unable to meet regularly atthe AFL classes to promote the outings, Please do not close our classes down.
A concerned AFL member.

I am very disappointed to learn that GP referrals to Activity for Life is under threat.I worked, as a practice manager, in Stockbridge Village for 20 years and was there when Activity for Life commenced. Many of our patients were referred by a GP or a Practice Nurse. This facility gave patients a goal to reach not only for exercise but also gave them a social life as well. There are many activities going on which people can engage in - coach trips, walks, evenings out with a meal and entertainment.

Since retiring my husband has been referred, through heart problems, and enjoys attending the gym 3 times a week. I myself have become a member and partake in the activities available. I have therefore been able to observe this through my job and in a personal way.