Social prescribing, sometimes referred to as community referral, is a means of enabling GPs, nurses and other primary care professionals to refer people to a range of local, non-clinical services.
A named link worker is assigned to an individual and taking a holistic approach to that individuals  health and wellbeing they give them time to discuss what matters to them connect them to community groups and statutory services for practical and emotional support.
 
 
Social prescribing works for a wide range of people, including people:

• with one or more long-term conditions
• who need support with their mental health?
• who are lonely or isolated?
• who have complex social needs which affect their wellbeing?

 
But the strange thing is, that we already have a means of social prescribing, it is called word of mouth!
 
People come to class and have a good time; they tell their friend and their friend pops along to give it a go. If they enjoy it then they carry on coming but if it isn’t quite their thing then they remember it for someone who might enjoy it.
 
A lady recently asked if she could ‘experience’ my class, and she did and really enjoyed it. People phone asking if the class is suitable for those with a variety of conditions and I tell them that my classes is for everyone- for people- not for conditions.
 
So, if you know someone who has a long-term condition, they are lonely or isolated then do your own ‘social prescribing’ and bring them along to class and let them meet like-minded people in a fun, happy and social setting.
 
The first class is always free so what have they go to lose? 

​Why be physically active?
 
“Physical Activity is the single most useful thing that individuals can do to maintain their health and function and quality of life.” (World Health Organisation, 1997)
 
Chair based exercise classes focus on aiding the muscles used in everyday activity and is performed at a pace that suits participants, but EXTEND classes with Tracy go that bit further including work that challenges balance, knee and hip mobility, transfer of weight and working with hoops, clubs and balls adds a giggle as well as music you can sing to (so you are not holding your breath!).
 
What will being physically active for an hour do for you?

• Exercise will help to improve your circulation stimulating the circulation of blood to all organs including the brain
• Improves stamina and muscle power. The more you move the more you are able to do and for longer. 
• Encourages the body to remove waste quicker- 
• Help you to lose weight by burning calories
• Help to lower your blood pressure
• Keeps the heart muscle strong - the heart pumps the blood round the body and exercise increases the demand for oxygen (carried by the red blood cells) and the removal of carbon dioxide. The harder the body works the harder the heart pumps, but like all muscle exercise strengthens other muscles in your body, it helps your heart muscle become more efficient and better able to pump blood throughout your body.
• Working the muscles keeps them from wasting away and strong muscles hold the joints in correct position so there is less wear and tear on the joints
• Moving joints helps to “nourish” them and helps to maintain a good, pain free, range of movement
• Exercise releases “feel good” endorphins in the brain which help you to feel cheerful and positive
• Improves posture. Poor posture can have an effect on many parts of your body from headaches, hip ache and tension in the muscles. 
• Prevents constipation and bloating and will improve your metabolism. Regular physical activity stimulates the gut. Turning the body (waist movements) will massage the gut but exercise also increases blood flow to all your muscles including those in the digestive system so allowing food to pass through it much quicker. 
• Physical activity can also help take your mind off your worries and reduces stress. Regular exercise can help you to relax, improve your sleep and help to lower the symptoms of mild depression and anxiety.   
  

 
So, what have you go to lose? Try a class and see if you can feel the benefits. 

As Company Secretary for Margaret Morris Movement International (MMMI) I attended their AGM at Chichester University where I led an evening Medau Movement session, Doris Dowsett-Muench, a highly respected MMM teacher who also danced with Medau Movement was watching and she sent me a very special parcel.
Thank you Doris, your words of encouragement mean a huge amount to me. ​

It is the end of term, a time when teachers reflect on the highs and lows of the year. 
Was the music good enough? 
Did I introduce enough 'new things?
Was I expecting too much?
Were my expectations too low?
Did people smile enough?
Did I engage with everyone? 

BUT - mostly I think about my lovely class participants - the new folk who have just slipped in and joined in and become part of the gang and those who are under the weather and unable to get to class. 

Over holidays I will be attending 2 Summer Schools - the first will be with Margaret Morris Movement and then I will be away with Medau Movement. Immersing myself into movement is a good way of absorbing new movements that become the centre of new routines or add an extra ‘thing’ to an existing set of movements,. I have learnt that simply copying someone else’s routines never works, you have to be comfortable with movement which is why no two EXTEND or Medau Movement teachers are the same- we all stamp our own personality on what we do.
 
 
The Government have made increasing physical activity a priority, encouraging children and adults alike to get more active more often. In reality we all need to do more but finding the time is an issue. Exercise, like your diet has to be varied and EXTEND and Medau can contribute to a health fitness diet.
 
Over the past few months some class participants have said some very lovely things which I have called ‘Overheard in Class’. They say word of mouth is the best advertising, so if you fancy trying something different and ‘people centred’ then come along in September and see if my classes ‘tick your box’. 
 

Here are the dates for the summer. 
Elm Court class will run into August to 'pay back' classes missed during term time. 
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