Sprightly pensioners shape up with Salix Homes

Pensioners in Salford have got a new spring in their step after embarking on a healthy living challenge.

Residents at Rialto Gardens sheltered housing complex and the surrounding neighbourhoods in Higher Broughton have been taking part in free health and fitness sessions organised by Salix Homes and Salford Council’s health improvement team.

The 30 week programme consists of a weekly diet club, chair-based exercise classes, Zumba dancing and indoor curling sessions and aims to get older people leading a more healthy and active lifestyle.

So far the group have collectively lost more than 60lb and say they have never felt better.

Anna Meek, 79, takes part in all the exercises despite having had knee and hip replacements. She said: “I absolutely love the sessions, especially the Zumba dancing, and I’ve found it’s really helped me. I can do a lot more now than when I first started even if my legs are a bit stiff the next day.

“I’ve changed my whole diet, I eat a lot more fruit now and I’ve lost nearly a stone. It’s also great that it gives us older ones something to do. When you get older you often feel like you get forgotten about, but this has given us a new lease of life.”

Great grandmother Mary Baker, 75, suffers from oesophagus cancer and says the sessions help her keep her mind off her illness.

She added: “I have been having chemotherapy for two years, so this gets me out of the house, keeps me active and takes my mind off it. I love coming here, I’ve made lots of new friends and it’s made a big difference to me having this to come to every week.”

As part of the healthy living programme, which is run from Rialto Gardens in Basten Drive, members, who are aged between 55 and 82, are given free fruit and tips and advice on how to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Sue Sutton, executive director of operations at Salix Homes, said: “The healthy living sessions are very popular with our older residents who have proved that you are never too old to do a little bit of exercise to keep fit and healthy.

“As you grow older, it’s more important than ever that you eat healthily and stay active. Exercise is as much about keeping the mind fit as well as it is the body and everyone who comes along has such fun; plus it gives them the chance to socialise and make new friends.”