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Residents struggling with arthritis can learn to live a less painful life with the help of a new “Joint Effort” class starting in Redditch.
 
Launching in early February, Joint Effort is a gentle exercise class which helps participants strengthen and mobilise arthritic joints and is led by a qualified instructor who will be on hand to offer help, advice, and education on a personal basis.
 
Thanks to Versus Arthritis and Sport England, Redditch Borough Council’s Sports Development Team are pleased to be able to offer this programme for free for the initial 12 weeks.
 
This is a community exercise class which means participants do not need to book and can just turn up and join in. However, with the current Covid situation, in these uncertain times the team ask that where they can, interested participants complete the online registration form at www.redditchbc.gov.uk/jointeffort in order to give an idea of how many people to expect.
 
Classes will take place every Thursday, 1.15pm to 2.15pm, at The Windmill Centre - Ryegrass Lane, Walkwood, Redditch, B97 5YE – Starting Thursday 3rd February 2022.
 
Hayley Gwilliam, Health Intervention Officer, said: “At face value it seems absurd that exercising more can alleviate pain, but it really works. Both the NHS and Versus Arthritis advocate appropriate exercise to manage the symptoms of joint pain, and I’ve seen first-hand the remarkable improvement participants can achieve through this course. If you think you might benefit, please get in touch.”
 
Cllr Matt Dormer said: “Congratulations to our Sports Development Team for successfully bidding for this additional funding which means we can help more residents to live a pain free life. Living with pain can be really debilitating and sometimes costly. Try this course out for free; what have you got to lose – and how much more could you gain?”
 
Both the NHS and Versus Arthritis advocate exercise as a way to manage the symptoms of arthritis.
 
To discuss the sessions and find out if they would be suitable for you, please contact the Sports Development Team on 01527 881404 or email Hayley.gwilliam@bromsgroveandredditch.gov.uk.