Love to Move: Great for me and you
Love to Move is an age and dementia-friendly seated gymnastics programme designed to transform the lives of people living with dementia.
The programme integrates the use of gymnastic foundation skills, cognitive stimulation therapy and social interaction activities.
There’s actually quite a bit of science behind it using ‘bilaterally asymmetrical movement patterns’. Put simply, this is one movement on one side and something completely different on the other – think, patting your head and rubbing your stomach. The theory is that the left (logic) and right (creative) side of the brain can process information independently, improving brain function and co-ordination.
I feel really proud to have finished my qualification with the British Gymnastics Foundation. I genuinely really enjoy delivering the sessions and seeing the change in our members who enjoy it too.
I began my training in November 2021 and qualified in June 2022. The first part of the training was for four days over a two-week period, and this was completed via Zoom. Once we completed and passed the first part of the training, we were then given time to have weekly drop-in sessions via Zoom with a mentor where we could practice each section of the programme that we needed to learn. We were also advised to where possible do some of the sessions in groups we currently run.
Once we felt confident that we knew what we were doing we had an assessment where one of the British Gymnastics team watched us do either the first or second part of the programme to a group of people. They then marked us and advised if we had passed or if we needed to do further practice. I completed my assessment with the group I had been practicing with and decided to do the whole programme for consistency, and thankfully I passed first time.
Not only is Love to Move great for our members, it’s also been great for my personal and professional development. I’ve enjoyed learning something new and having training from a prestigious organisation like The British Gymnastics Foundation. I also love to see the smiles on our members faces, and the laughter we create each time we do this social activity.
The training has helped me realise how important exercise is for everyone as we get older and how important it is to mix both physical and mental routines into an exercise programme to keep our brains and bodies working to the best they can possibly do.
When I started the training, I didn’t know what to expect as I thought chair-based exercise wouldn’t provide much exercise to people, however I was completely wrong about this. I love the fact that by the end of each session everyone can tell they have done a full brain and body exercise without leaving their chairs.
I was asked to be a part of the new MHA Active app which meant going into a studio to be filmed going through the Love to Move sequences. At first I was really nervous, but I got used to the cameras! It’s great having the app as it means people who can’t come to in-person sessions or if people want to keep practising at home, they can do from the comfort of their own armchairs, for free.
Here's a quote from a member’s daughter who noticed the difference and benefits of the Love to Move:
“Her mood has changed dramatically from being in a constant state of anxiety and low mood often in tears every day, to a confident, happy individual with a good social circle and support network. The caring nature and expertise the staff ensures she feels safe at these groups and is no longer constantly feeling isolated and alone and follows a good weekly routine, which is essential to her wellbeing and stops dementia confusion.
The Love to Move sessions she attends work on promoting and working on her memory, physical and social skills all things she needs for an overall sense of wellbeing, making the activities fun and enjoyable, this is reflected in her day-to-day life and happiness.”
It really makes all the training worthwhile to see the difference Love to Move makes to our members. I am now looking at what other exercise programmes I can learn to help our members become more active and live later life well.
