Sarah Stanbrook, owner of home care company Walfinch in Swindon and Marlborough, is offering free seated exercise classes at Walfinch Thrive Clubs in two local venues. Everyone is welcome and there's more activities to come next year.

Sarah says: “Seated exercise is something that almost everyone can do, as it can be adjusted to your personal capabilities. We usually get a great group of people along, so anyone can come and enjoy a bit of healthy movement while making new friends.”

Tuesday's class is held at Highworth Community Centre, from 10am, and on Wednesday classes are at Kingsdown Retirement Village, from 12 noon. Both sessions are taught by local professional personal trainer Maisie Burrows.

Sarah, whose home care business is based in Hunts Rise, has been running the classes for some months, and plans to add at least one more in the new year. She is also planning to bring in some experts to provide free talks and advice on health and wellness issues, particularly osteoporosis.

Sarah says: “Half of women and 20% of men over 50 will break a bone because of osteoporosis, but many people do not know they have this 'silent disease. That's why we offer information about it, and encourage people to take The Great British Bone Check, an online tool created by the Royal Osteoporosis Society, that allows you to check your osteoporosis risk in just three minutes.

Thriving, not just surviving

The exercise sessions fit in well with Walfinch's aim of delivering home care that improves people's lives.

“At Walfinch we believe that care should be a time to thrive, so every client receiving an hour or more of care is offered at least ten minutes of activity of their choice accompanied by their carer,” says Sarah. “It could be attending one of our Thrive Clubs, or going out for coffee, or doing activities such as crafts and games at home.”

Sarah has owned the Walfinch Swindon and Marlborough branch since spring 2024, and now has a growing team of five carers and eight clients. She started and expanded the business around her family.

“I used to work at the Walfinch head office, which means I understand the importance of combining care with activity,” says Sarah, “and it's something I can reflect upon while watching my two sons playing in football matches.”