Could you be an instructor for Love to Move?
Parkinson's UK, in partnership with British Gymnastics Foundation, is offering training for individuals or community groups to become volunteer instructors for their innovative seated exercise programme.
Love to Move is a seated exercise programme designed for people living with Parkinson's, dementia or lower mobility levels.
Sessions are designed to improve flexibility, coordination and balance, as well emotional well-being and social connection and are based on the basic principles of gymnastics.
Love to Move has been shown to have varied benefits for people living with Parkinson’s - as well as improved strength, flexibility and mobility, it can improve wellbeing, memory and cognitive skills, increase social interaction and improve speech and communication.
The aim of the partnership is to train more instructors to deliver Love to Move classes, and in turn to help more people live well with long term health conditions, such as Parkinson’s or dementia.
They are aiming for 46,000 people across the UK to be supported by the programme and participating regularly, by 2031.
Love to Move was developed and tested in care homes and with community groups and now British Gymnastics Foundation are training instructors in South London and across the country.
Louise Roberts, Head of Programmes at British Gymnastics Foundation, said: “We are thrilled to have agreed a partnership with Parkinson’s UK, as we know our Love to Move programme can make a positive difference to the lives of people living with Parkinson’s.
"This partnership will enable us to train more deliverers, raise awareness of the benefits, and support more people across the UK.”
Anna Castiaux, Physical Activity Programme Lead at Parkinson's UK, said: "Love to Move has been shown to have many benefits for a person's physical and mental wellbeing and it can be a very accessible and adaptable way to live well with a long term health condition".
If you are interested in becoming a Love to Move instructor, please complete an expression of interest form. Previous experience of being an exercise coach or instructor is not required, but note that this is a volunteer role.
Love to Move expression of interest
If your community group would like to learn how to instruct or deliver a Love to Move session, contact: British Gymnastics Foundation Love to Move.
For more information, contact Louise Roberts: theteam@britishgymnasticsfoundation.org
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