Blacklands, Kilwinning: women’s chair exercise group
By Mairi Damer
Exercise builds firm friendships
There’s movement in the corner of Kilwinning Library in North Ayrshire, and the faint sound of music. Move a bit closer and you’ll see a group of women sitting in a semi-circle, lifting their arms overhead as they gracefully perform seated exercises in time to the music.
They watch carefully as the group’s leader and exercise coach, Louise Shaw, Corra’s community co-ordinator in the area, guides their moves, her voice clear and encouraging. As the pace slows and the cool down draws to a close, there’s a moment’s pause before the hum of the women’s chat fills the air.
This excellent chair exercise group, founded specifically for women over 60, all began back in 2018, when Louise recognised a need for activity and social connection in an area where loneliness and isolation can be a real problem. At first, most of the participants didn’t know each other and chat was limited. But fast forward a few years and firm friendships have been established. Louise has also witnessed a growing sense of independence amongst the women.
Like all community groups, people come and go, but it was the pandemic that really helped gel this group. With Louise’s support, everyone managed to get online to do their weekly exercise class, and solid bonds were forged.
The members of the group are clear about the benefits, and those benefits extend far beyond the weekly exercise routine. Local resident Alicia originally saw a post about the group on Facebook and has never looked back.
“Coming here has really got me out of myself. I’d been widowed for 10 years and was starting to get introverted and stuck in the house. The group made me feel welcome right away, and it’s made me move too!”
Several of the other local women felt isolated, including Sheena.
“Some of us have been widowed, meaning we have good days and bad, but class provides a focus. There’s lots of laughing when one of us does the exercises all wrong, and having time to chat afterwards means we can have some company, share experiences and even have a rant!”
As well as offering company, the exercises are very well received. May is a new recruit to the gang.
“I have osteoporosis, my bones are crumbling, and the exercises are so beneficial for me. I’m actually not very good at the exercises but Louise is very reassuring. Before I started coming I was worried about being judged because I’m quite stooped. But it’s not been like that at all, and now I just want to keep coming.”
Sharing experience is also an important benefit to the women. Veteran group member Elizabeth says:
“I’ve been coming right from the start, and it’s been great, I’ve made a lot of friends. We talk about all sorts of things – often about our grandchildren or where we’re going on our next holiday, but we also discuss things like scams and how to avoid them.”
On the surface, a weekly exercise group in Ayrshire might seem like no great shakes, but that’s to underestimate the hugely important role it plays for the women who regularly attend. Friendships have flourished, experience shared and a collective confidence has bloomed.
The group have extended their scope, organising day trips and even an annual tea dance, and strong, lasting bonds have been built. And that’s so very important for people who live in a part of the world where there isn’t much scope for an active social life.