Rehabilitation sessions offered for recovering cancer patients

Big C is working in partnership with Riverside Leisure Centre to offer rehabilitation sessions for recovering cancer patients. Building on the success of a 12-week pilot held earlier in the year, Places Leisure and Big C are now funding a second group, which will run until Christmas.

Who are the sessions for?

The rehabilitation sessions are open to anyone that has had cancer, is now in remission or well enough to be partaking in physical exercise.

Amy Goreham, Health Academy Educational Facilitator explains “Our rehab sessions offer the opportunity to enjoy exercise in a safe and supportive environment, guided by a cancer rehab practitioner.

“Whether you’re an experienced exerciser or someone who’s never set foot in a gym, rehab can help to improve your fitness and body confidence.

“Our classes give you the opportunity to exercise as part of a group, feel empowered to make informed fitness choices and use equipment with confidence.”

The circuit-based activities are multi-level, ensuring all abilities are catered for, and concentrate on cardio, strength and agility. A buddy system is in place to make sure everyone is supported in the best possible way.

The two-hour sessions involve an hour of activity, followed by an hour of sitting and chatting over a cup of tea. Big C’s Health Academy team are on hand to offer any support or advice needed, but it gives the opportunity for people to chat with other members of the group who may be going through a similar experience.

The idea of the programme is to support people back to fitness following a cancer diagnosis, and help them develop in confidence, so ultimately, they will feel more comfortable about joining a class.

Participant, Alison said “I have so appreciated the opportunity to be welcomed back into a fitness environment, with activities carefully targeted towards building strength, stamina and confidence, alongside such a wonderful group of people each week and am so grateful to the support provided by Big C, David and the other volunteers.

“I was very much hoping to re-join the Leisure Centre at some point following my cancer treatment, but the sessions provided me with the perfect stepping stone to come back, something I probably wouldn’t have felt comfortable doing yet without the rehab course. I still do not feel ready to join the classes I used to do pre cancer but think this course is gradually building my confidence to get there eventually.” 

Qualified instructors

David Lane, a Qualified Level 4 Cancer Rehabilitation Practitioner who runs the sessions said “This is the first time we have had a Cancer Rehabilitation Class at Riverside Leisure Centre, I feel very proud to be part of it. The group is hugely diverse with abilities, ages and experiences, all brought together by exercise. Sessions have been designed by participants feedback and have evolved to be fully inclusive to meet all individual’s needs. I am looking forward to continuing to provide a safe and friendly environment for people to exercise in.”

Volunteer, Nell, started as a participant and now helps the weekly group “Big C supported me from diagnosis, through treatment and on my ongoing journey. I enjoy the zoom Yoga and Pilates classes (Big C) and when the opportunity for a face-to-face rehab class at Riverside Leisure Centre came up, I jumped at it.

“David, our instructor, is aware of individual issues and goals and he structures sessions with options around the circuit so that nobody fails. He allows us to make our own choices giving us autonomy over our bodies. I feel that this is so empowering for those affected by cancer.

“I’m now a volunteer for Big C at these sessions, and love meeting and chatting with new participants and regulars particularly during the ‘tea in a circle’ after the workout.

“If you’re apprehensive about coming into a gym class don’t be – we all look forward to meeting you.”

If you are interested in joining the group, please get in contact with Big C by calling 0800 092 7640 or you can email the team who can provide further information and do an initial screening before getting you started. Bookings can be made each week, so there is no pressure to join in every session.