Disabled Cleckheaton woman's mental health 'helped' during lockdown by group

An active visually-impaired Cleckheaton woman said free online exercise classes have helped her mental health during lockdown.
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Jules Armitage, 54, of Cleckheaton has online exercise classes and social activities organised by Open Country have been a lifeline during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ms Armitage is visually impairment and prior the pandemic, spent her days staying as active as possible and is a member of Open Country's tandem club and weekend outings group.

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She said: "The spin classes have been fantastic – second best to getting out on the road with the tandem club.

Jules Armitage, 53, of CleckheatonJules Armitage, 53, of Cleckheaton
Jules Armitage, 53, of Cleckheaton

"We get chance to have a laugh and a sing on the spin bikes and it’s an easy way for me to exercise during lockdown when I can’t go out with the groups or even walk my Guide Dog.

"I feel really fit at the moment and knowing that is helping me stay well mentally too."

Ms Armitage has taken part in Open Country's weekly spin classes since they were launched in early May 2020.

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Since the Covid crisis began, she has kept in virtual contact with the charity, taking part in spin classes and activities from a sunflower growing competition to weekly quizzes.

Open Country Wakefield Tandem ClubOpen Country Wakefield Tandem Club
Open Country Wakefield Tandem Club

Open Country, based in Wakefield, has now secured a grant from the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership to extend its series of free online exercise and nature classes to help tackle social isolation among adults living with disabilities, autism, and/or mental ill health in West Yorkshire.

The charity is working alongside Wakefield Recovery College and Vibe Fitness to run online classes including spin, yoga, combat as well as a weekly 'Wild Things' session helping to engage people in nature and their local environment.

"I really do look forward to connecting with Open Country through these online sessions and I can’t wait to start some of the new virtual fitness classes," said Ms Armitage.

"I'm also going to try the Yoga class on a Friday morning."

Jules Armitage on her spin bikeJules Armitage on her spin bike
Jules Armitage on her spin bike
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When guidance allows, the charity will be running a face to face 'Trailblazer' group which will carry out access and nature project group work in the countryside.

Ella Dixon, Open Country's Wild about Wakefield Project Officer, said: "We're delighted to be able to offer these sessions free of charge to anyone in West Yorkshire with a learning disability, autism or mental health problem.

"This will be a truly community-led project, working with organisations who are experts in their fields.

"It's a really important project for the district, supporting the wellbeing and physical health of marginalised residents after what has been a very isolating few months."

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Open Country's Wild about Wakefield project, based out of Thornes Park, normally runs weekly activities including tandeming, countryside walks, conservation work parties and wheelchair friendly outings.

All of their activities were cancelled at the start of lockdown and so the charity developed a number of befriending services to ensure their members were well supported both practically and emotionally.

For more information about the free sessions, visit: www.opencountry.org.uk