In the South Canterbury community of Geraldine, locals have a unique opportunity to build strength, balance and connection – on their doorstep.

The group have Sport Canterbury’s Be Active programme to thank for initially bringing them together in 2013.

Run by the South Canterbury Green Prescription team, the Be Active Programme is an eight-week programme for people wanting to increase their level of physical activity and have fun along the way.

When the programme came to an end the group was keen to continue with some activities and supporting each other and so on May 6, 2013, ‘Keep Active Geraldine’ was born.

Keep Active is a 45-minute light circuit-based exercise class for older adults with both standing & seated options to cater to all needs. The class includes movement to music, resistance band arm & leg exercises as well as balance & flexibility. 

Pamela Rafferty, a regular attendee at the Be Active sessions put her hand up to facilitate these classes and is still in this role seven years later.

As well as Pamela, there are seven ladies who attended the very first session that come along each week to not only support the group, but to get in their regular exercise.

 “It’s a really good way to keep healthy because exercise is key for our immunity,” says Pamela,
“The class is a chance to get back out to normal and get activity in over the colder months,” she adds.

In the last two years, the Geraldine-based ‘Be Active’ class has earned accreditation through “Live Stronger for Longer” – as an accredited provider of Strength and Balance programmes which has created a need for another class.

“We have had as many as 23 people in one class, but numbers have dropped over the winter months and due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We encourage people to come along to not only enjoy themselves, but to keep themselves strong.”

Details
Waihi Lodge Function Room, Shaw St, Geraldine
Mondays 9.30 am
$3.00 a session 
Tea and coffee provided
Hygiene and cleaning policies in place 

Visit Sport Canterbury's Community Group Strength and Balance page for more info on the initiative - https://www.sporty.co.nz/sportcanterbury/Health-and-Wellbeing/Community-Group-Strength-Balance/Community-Group-Strength-Balance

Visit Sport Canterbury's Green Prescription page for more info on the service - https://www.sportcanterbury.org.nz/Green-Prescription-1/For-Participants-1

Article added: Wednesday 15 July 2020