WG Wigginton has stepped up to the plate with their ongoing commitment to social value by investing £5000 into a pilot keep fit programme for residents living in Barnet Homes’ sheltered homes.
WG Wigginton is a long-term partner of Barnet Homes, carrying out electrical upgrades and fire safety works across our properties. This is a joint project with Age UK Barnet that will provide residents with the opportunity to take part in light/seated exercise classes including Tai Chi. The classes are free of charge for Barnet Homes residents and non-residents up until September 2022 when this will be reviewed.
Helen Newman CEO from Age UK Barnet says “We’re pleased to be offering a timetable of new gentle exercise classes in sheltered housing units around Barnet as part of a pilot scheme with Barnet Homes – and all made possible thanks to funding from contractors WG Wigginton”
“Regular physical activity in later life is important for so many reasons and gentle, chair-based exercises are great for improving your posture and balance” says Wendy Nutman, exercise co-ordinator at Age UK Barnet. “So they’re suitable for people with reduced mobility.’ Not only will your health and wellbeing improve, but you’ll also meet new people, says Wendy. We are hoping that these new classes will bring local older communities together!”
Danielle Richardson, Compliance and Safety Manager from WG Wigginton says “We are extremely proud to be investing in this programme as we are completely supportive of the scheme. Especially, as it will include Sheltered Housing properties we have worked at multiple times. After getting to know many residents during various electrical upgrade and fire safety works, we have developed a great relationship and found several would love to have more activities available to them, not only to get more active, but to socialise more with their neighbours. In our post-COVID world, we believe it is vital to encourage neighbours to socialise again, for the benefit of mental health and wellbeing”
Bridget Mullins, Sheltered Housing and Support Manager for Barnet Homes says “This exercise project is an excellent example of our collaborative and partnership working with our focus on improvement to the health and welfare of older tenants in our Sheltered Housing Schemes. Affordability of exercise classes is often a concern for older people so the funding provided by our sponsors is wonderful and removes this concern. Our Sheltered Tenants have an opportunity to keep active and perhaps try some new forms of exercise as well as being able to socialise safely within the Scheme. The first of these exercise classes was held last Wednesday 15 June at our Gadsbury Close Scheme and had a great turnout of 12 tenants who really enjoyed the session.”
WG Wigginton have been extremely committed to investing back into our communities and we are extremely grateful for their continued support.
For more information on the classes and to find out where they take place, call Wendy at Age UK Barnet 020 432 1421
