Good Companions
People: Improving people’s mental wellbeing
We aim to provide monthly chair-based Health Qigong and Tia Chi sessions and healthy eating advice at our five Friendship Groups, to promote both physical and mental wellbeing in later life.
About this cause
Good Companions was established in 2000, in response to a survey that identified many elderly people living alone and in circumstances of social isolation. The key objective of Good Companions is to reduce social isolation in Clifton, Wilford and Silverdale (Nottingham). Good companions matches local volunteers with older people, whom they visit to provide friendship and support. These visits are supplemented by five friendships groups that operate from community venues. These groups provide tea, bingo and a place to chat. Good Companions also arranges trips to garden centres, the panto and a boat ride down the Trent. Our Christmas party is attended by Notts County players, the Ukulele orchestra and the Sheriff of Nottingham; we generate fun and friendship for people in our community.
How this cause brings people in the community together
Good Companions wishes to continue to offer exercise classes to older people in the Clifton area. Dr Isabel Perez, a previous consultant specialist in public health, will deliver Health Qigong and Tai Chi sessions, which will improve health and mental wellbeing. Research studies are highlighting the positive effect of this on rehabilitation, balance, muscle strength, circulation and breathing. Health Qigong uses simple poses and breathing patterns and can easily be done by everyone. The service users will be given instructions on how to carry out specific exercises each month for them to do at home. At the same sessions, diet advice will be offered and fruit will be provided to encourage our service users to include fruit as a normal part of their diet.