Strong and Steady service - Strength and Balance Classes
Falls Prevention
In Somerset around 8 people over the age of 65 are admitted to hospital every day as a result of a fall. Falls are a major cause of disability and the leading cause of mortality due to injury in older people aged over 75 in the UK. The effects of a fall on an older person can be devastating and not only physical. A fall can also have a serious psychological effect which can lead to a lack of confidence, increased isolation and it can rob people of their independence.
Thankfully there are things that can be done to prevent falls from happening!
Improvements in strength, flexibility, balance and reaction times are considered the areas which can greatly reduce the risks of falling. We have a Falls Prevention team at Age UK Somerset who run our special 'Strong and Steady' sessions across Somerset and North Somerset to help older people improve their strength and balance.
To reach your full potential and reduce your risk of falls you will need to regularly attend these classes as well as complete exercises at home.
Contact the Falls Prevention team
Call 01823 345614 or
Send us an Email
Strong and Steady sessions are specially developed classes that help to improve strength and balance. They can give you greater confidence, reduce the risk of having a fall and help you to stay independent as you get older.
Age UK Somerset offers two tiers of Strong and Steady classes, so you can participate at a level that is right for you.
The Get Strong Get Steady programme has gentle exercises specifically created to help participants gradually build up the strength, stamina and balance to be able to progress from seated to standing exercises. This is the perfect precursor to the next level, our Stay Strong Stay Steady programme, which helps to strengthen lower body muscles, improve your balance and increase your confidence in moving around.
These classes are open to everyone wherever you live. You will need to complete a short health questionnaire before starting your class.
For more information call The Falls Prevention Team on 01823 345614 or email fallsprevention@ageuksomerset.org.uk
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Get Strong Get Steady
'Get Strong Get Steady' is a 16 week programme of gentle exercises specifically created to help participants gradually build up the strength, stamina and balance to be able to progress from seated to standing exercises. The programme is suitable for those who are experiencing more advanced mobility issues.
The weekly sessions are led by specially trained instructors and held in small groups. The sessions are also very sociable with new friendships being formed.
We currently offer Get Strong Get Steady sessions in Berrow, Minehead, Somerton, South Petherton, Taunton and Wells but we are adding new locations all the time.
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Stay Strong Stay Steady
We want to help you stay independent as you get older so the next level, of our Strong and Steady programme is 'Stay Strong Stay Steady', where most of the exercises are performed in standing. These sessions follow a specially developed evidence-based programme which help to prevent damaging falls by strengthening lower body muscles, improving your balance and increasing your confidence in moving around.
These sessions are held across Somerset and North Somerset, contact us to find out what class is right for you.
For more information please contact The Falls Prevention Team on 01823 345614 or email fallsprevention@ageuksomerset.org.uk
How to join a Strong and Steady session
Before you can join a session we ask you to please complete this short health questionnaire/referral form. If you would prefer us to send you a paper copy please call The Falls Prevention Team on 01823 345614 or email fallsprevention@ageuksomerset.org.uk
Information and forms to Download
Strong and Steady Referral Form
We run Stay Strong Stay Steady sessions across Somerset and North Somerset
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Axbridge Town Hall |
Axbridge |
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St Georges, Wembdon |
Bridgwater |
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Westonzoyland Village Hall |
Bridgwater |
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Berrow Village Hall |
Burnham-On-Sea |
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Chard Baptist Church Hall |
Chard |
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Kenn Road Methodist Church |
Clevedon |
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The Henhayes Centre |
Crewkerne |
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East Coker Village Hall |
East Coker |
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Christchurch Hall |
Frome |
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Frome Medical Centre |
Frome |
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Archie Gooch Pavilion |
Ilminster |
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Ridgway Hall |
Langport |
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Ash Village Hall |
Martock |
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Minehead Community Hall |
Minehead |
| Nailsea Methodist Church | Nailsea |
| Avon Way Hall | Portishead |
| Shipham Village Hall |
Shipham, Winscombe |
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Somerton Parish Rooms |
Somerton |
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Memorial Hall |
Stoke Sub Hamdon |
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Comeytrowe Community Hall |
Taunton |
| Staplegrove Village Hall |
Taunton |
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Trident Community Hall |
Taunton |
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Wellington Football Club |
Wellington |
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Wells Town Hall |
Wells |
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Corpus Christi Catholic Church |
Weston-super-Mare |
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Williton Pavilion |
Williton |
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Silver Street Centre |
Wiveliscombe |
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Worle Community Centre |
Worle |
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Yatton Village Hall |
Yatton |
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Holy Trinity Community Centre |
Yeovil |
Please contact The Falls Prevention Team for details:
01823 345614 or email fallsprevention@ageuksomerset.org.uk
On the Google Map our Strong and Steady classes are indicated by the red pin.
What people say about Stay Strong Stay Steady classes
April's Story
My name is April and I had a road accident 40 years ago, which has left me with my left side being paralysed. So, it’s a case of the muscles on this side are weak and lazy – a bit like its owner! I’ve been coming to this class since January and I just feel so much more confident with what I’m doing and with what I’m able to do. It’s fantastic, a really brilliant class.
Corinne’s is an excellent teacher. You have got to keep at it though. If you don’t practice the exercises at home for maybe two weeks, you’re liable to slip but if we carry on doing them at home like we have been, we come on in leaps and bounds.
Kathleen's Story
My name is Kathleen and I’ve been coming to balance class for maybe 14/15 weeks and I’ve come on in leaps and bounds. When I first walked in the door, I was on one of these three-wheel trolley things. I must admit I was falling down, probably 2 or 3 times a day. It was really beginning to frighten me. So they sent me here!
I didn’t find it easy to start because I suffer with a lot of arthritis but I’ve got used to that now and know how far I can go. I can now leave my trolley behind! I can walk with just a stick – if I’m at home I can walk without one. I would really recommend the class to anyone who’d like to try it, because it’s absolutely fantastic.
Ken's Story
In 2012, Ken was in hospital for about 5 months with pancreatitis.
He couldn’t walk or even hold a pen when he went home. After several months, he went on to use a walking stick but he felt his walking was rubbish and he was desperate to improve. His elder daughter was his inspiration and encouraged him to improve. So, he set himself goals of completing 5K walks. Even though he managed to complete them, he still wasn’t walking properly, was very slow and still eager to improve back to normal.
After 6 years of trying to improve his walking, he got a referral to the class. As Ken wrote in his progress diary, “while it is only 4 weeks since we started the Stay Strong Stay Steady exercise classes, I myself have noticed a difference in my confidence, such that I am now able to ‘slide out’ in my walking, which has been rubbish since my illness in 2012.”
Ken practices the exercises learnt from class twice a day and says that the class is an incentive to improve. He is even hoping that one day he will be able to take up his dream of line dancing. “I have tried to do it in my lounge at home but was useless and collapsed in a heap!”
“Corinne is great, I would recommend it to anyone. Everybody in the group is friendly and it’s nice to be in this group of wellbeing.”
Ken has also heard about a tai chi class so he is going to start that this year too!
Find out what you can do to prevent a fall