Nicki catches up with Susan Little from the LAL Wellbeing Team to talk about her new classes, designed to get our less mobile friends moving!

Regular readers of the Live Active blog may well remember the story of the bubbly, upbeat Susan Little.  Susan is a member of the wellbeing team who are focused on helping those of us with additional needs; so whether you have a medical problem that has impaired your mobility or you’re simply finding your bones creak a bit more with each passing year, this team are here to help keep you fit, well and active!

And what better time to start some good habits than January?! 

Susan has been working successfully with the communities in Highland Perthshire and Blairgowrie for the past two years and has developed a series of classes aimed at helping people who are less mobile.   I’m not talking about people like me who’ve just been skiving for a couple of months and are feeling a bit stiff; these classes have been created to help the genuine needs of people who through illness, age or perhaps an accident, find themselves unable to jump on a treadmill or attend a traditional LAL class.

The idea behind them is that they can help improve mobility, strength and balance and get their participants moving again.  I’ve been lucky enough to chat to some of Susan’s previous participants and I can tell you that she comes highly recommended! 

Apart from the physical benefits, regular exercise is amazing for mental health and many studies have shown that even moderate exercise and physical activity can improve the health of people who are becoming less mobile or who have diseases that accompany aging.

Let’s be honest, none of us like to admit when things start to slow down but the truth is, by attending a class like Susan’s you can take charge of your health and work towards improving your mobility to help maintain your independence.  Susan is also keen to remind me about the great social aspect of getting out and meeting new people – she knows many of her participants love catching up for a coffee and a blether after the class and this is every bit as good for you as the stretched and bends she’ll put through!

Susan’s new classes are available throughout Perth and are all priced around a couple of quid. She’d love to see as many people as possible and would like to ask all of our members, users and regular readers to help her spread the word.

If you know someone – your Mum, Dad, Grandparents, Sister, Cousin, neighbour (you get the picture!) – who would benefit from one of Susan’s fab classes then let them know about her!  There are six to choose from and I know that anyone standing up in front of this truly passionate wellbeing ambassador will be sure to have a great time.  

• Tuesday, Gentle circuits class, 10-10.45, The wheel Inn, Scone, £2
• Tuesday, Gentle circuits class, 11.30-12.30, Moncrieffe Community Hall, Craigie, £2.50
• Tuesday, Gentle circuits class,1.30-2.30, Live Active Letham, £2.50
• Wednesday, Gentle circuits class, 11-12noon, Tulloch Community Centre, Tulloch, £2.50
• Wednesday, Stride for life health walk, 1.30-2.30, Riverside church, North Muirton, Free
• Thursday, Gentle Activity/Games, 1.30-2.30, Moncrieffe Community Hall, Craigie, £2.50