Tuesday 23rd May

On the way to my EXTEND class this morning I was wondering how people were feeling after the terrible news of the Manchester bombing. Knowing the majority of the class have grand children (and some have great grand children) that they are aunts and have family friends with children, I knew I had to do and say something. 
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Living alone, as many of the class do, they need time to talk about the news and many need physical comfort. So, half way through the warm up, we held hands and drew ourselves into a close circle. I turned the music off and we put our hands on the shoulders or round those on either side of us and shared a large comforting hug. We shared a short moment of thought, a quiet coming together taking  comfort from each other.

The class resumed with happy songs, big moments, hand eye co-ordination and singing! 

EXTEND is not just about the exercise, it is about sharing the good and the sad, finding support from each other and leaving the class in a stronger and better frame of mind than when you arrived.