Rural Health & Wellbeing

At CCB we are passionate about helping rural communities in Berkshire have access to activities and support to improve their health and wellbeing. Our activating village halls project has been successfully forging partnerships with physical fitness providers and our village halls to set up local, fun, accessible to all sessions in rural communities throughout Berkshire. Read more about the evolution of this project and the difference it has made to people attending these classes in their local vincinity.

Activating Village Halls

In 2024 funding from The Pargiter Trust via Berkshire Community Foundation and Sovereign Network Group has allowed us to support the setup and subsidise the ongoing cost of enjoyable Seated Exercise classes in rural Lambourn. Seated exercise classes allow older people to stay fit, have fun, and create social connections. This project combines exercise with a social session where people can chat and relax after the class.

NEW CLASSES FOR 2024 THANKS TO FUNDING FROM BERKSHIRE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION


Older people in rural areas face multiple difficulties accessing services and social
opportunities. people with health conditions and poor fitness are doubly impacted.
Feedback from participants of our previous exercise classes shows that they have had
great physical and social benefits.

In 2023 we received funding from Get Berkshire Active to start a new seated exercise class in Chieveley Village Hall which started in the summer (June 23). These classes combine 45 minutes of exercise led by a trainer from Moveability and followed by ‘social’ time for tea and chat after the exercise session. When questioned over 92% of participants stated the social aspect of the session was important.

We asked people why they decided to come to the class and what they hoped to get out of it;

Positive Changes

In 2022 we were lucky enough to secure funding from McCarthy Stone Foundation to help continue funding seated exercise classes at Hermitage Village Hall for Seniors of all abilities. These sessions are run by Moveability and provide a chance to make friends, have fun and improve your health. They are proving very popular and continued throughout 2023.

After attending for several weeks participants described the benefits

In 2020 CCB partnered with Get Berkshire Active to launch the ‘Activating Community Halls’ project. During 2020-22 (some delay in classes due to the Covid pandemic) this project saw new exercise classes launched in rural village halls and community centres across Berkshire.

The exercise classes we worked with village halls to set up were particularly targeted at people who may have not accessed classes before including youth groups, older people and those with long-term health issues.

The main outcome of this project was that it successfully brought people together in a fun, active way!

Have a look at the difference classes in Lambourn have made to one participant in just 6 weeks!
Take a look at a quick video showcasing the success and the benefits of delivery of seated exercise classes in Hermitage