Published on The Holloway Express at https://hollowayexpress.org.uk/healthy-generations-keeping-vulnerable-people-fit-and-happy/
If you’re tired of being home alone and talking to nobody but your dog, there is a place in Holloway where you can sing your heart out.
Healthy Generations is a local charity that keeps vulnerable and older people healthy whilst involving them in the community life through music, fitness and IT classes.
Founded in 2006, it now offers activities ranging from dancing while sipping tea to giving life hacks on how to use laptop and smartphones, so nobody is left behind technologically.
Peter Crockett, Healthy Generations co-ordinator, said the charity was founded in 2006, when there was a big need to take mental health services out to the community. He said that elderly people in particular were in danger of spending much of their time by themselves, without having family or connections with friends.
“It is very important to help people take control of their own health and know what to do to make their condition better,” he told the Holloway Express.
Healthy Generations work not only in the Holloway area but also works in partnership with community and health centres, libraries and NHS services around the borough.
The most popular events are exercise classes. The charity offers sessions for osteoporosis three times a week for a small fee of £3. They are designed for people belonging to the high risk group for the disease, as well as others that want to ensure their bones stay strong. Other classes such as pilates and chair yoga help people to improve stamina, body muscles and flexibility.
And what better way to do that if not using music? Healthy Generations has its own band, the Jazz Jukes. They are the personal band for events such s sing-a-longs, tea dances and music therapy classes.
During sing-a-longs events, the audience choose a song then sing it out loud according to The Jazz Jukes’ style. It does not matter if you are a Jazz or Rock’n’Roll soul – everyone has the chance to hear their favourite songs live. The band also takes part in tea dances, where Vera the Diva teaches Latin and Ballroom music.
The charity also organises music and sing classes for people with sensory impairment, dementia and mental health disorders. “I loved your songs today. I knew the words to every one. I’ve been diagnosed with early stage dementia and I’ve been feeling so depressed. But you’ve given me hope. I’m going to start doing my exercises again,” stated an online comment on the Healthy Generations website.
They have also recently organised weekly classic music concerts for the children at the Whittington Hospital’s Paediatric Intensive Care Unit with professional orchestral and chambers musicians Sarah Parfitt. The charity has been invited to bring some music into the units at the University College Hospital and London North West Hospital Healthcare and are looking for funding to do so.
The charity also offers very practical workshops that help develop IT Skills. People bring their own laptop, iPad or phone to the sessions, where they are shown how to use them. They learn how to solve problems, use email, whatsapp, save contact numbers, send pictures, post on Facebook and Twitter, shop online as well as sailing the Internet safely avoiding fraud and scams.
Lots of people also learn how to use Skype so they can video chat with their loved ones.
The charity is launching a new membership scheme soon. People interested in the activity could become member for £10 a year.
The money, along with grant and fees, will be used to run more activities and create a place where vulnerable people feel part of a new family and live happily.
Comentarios