knees, backs, hips and shoulders
the most common reasons for
programme participation.
However, not everyone’s reason
for referral was physical. As we
made our way down a narrow,
stonewalled country lane,
admiring the Alpine-like scenery
around us, I chatted to Adam
who told me that he was here
following a number of family
bereavements. Struggling to
come to terms with the impact
of his loss, Jubilee House had
been recommended to Adam
as a place where he could find
support, as well as some time to
himself.
Upon our return to Jubilee House
it was boots off and swimming
trunks on, a prospect which –
having a frame more Agatha
Christie than Linford Christie, and
lining up alongside a team of
seasoned firefighters – filled me
with more than a little trepidation.
I needn’t have worried,
however, as Exercise Therapist
Chris Hodgson put us through
our paces with a thoroughly
enjoyable and challenging
series of movement drills that, at
various points, had us drenching
each other with water, striding
from one side of the pool to the
other, balancing floats under our
feet and even performing an
immaculately executed aqueous
barn dance. However bizarre,
each exercise was designed to
test our movement and balance,
using the resistance of the water
to do so.
Having dried off and after a
light lunch it was back in to the
conference room for a talk on
sleep with Psychological Therapist,
Kerry Hodgkinson. With many
beneficiaries reporting problems
with their sleep, the fascinating
and insightful talk explained the
cycle of sleep and explored the
reasons why many of us have
trouble nodding off at night. From
stress to caffeine, screen time
to mattresses, Kerry outlined the
factors that can affect how we
sleep and gave us a wealth of
ideas for helping us to ensure we
get the hours we need, many
of which she has summarised
in her Shout! column on page
36. For those of us in the room it
provided an opportunity to assess
what it is that’s been keeping
us awake at night and whether
there’s anything we could be
doing differ