February 12, 2015
On the go at Newby House
The tenants of Newby house have a fantastic programme of activities to choose from,t hey aimed to promote active and healthy lifestyles as well as a sense of community.
The Team at Newby filled us in on a couple of the tenants achievements over the past year:
Nordic Walking – enjoyed by many tenants with staff support. Whilst one tenants gained his community leader badge and other now training to become a Nordic Walking Instructor, enabling him to lead his own groups eventually, whilst building his confidence and self esteem.
Cycling activity– We recently had an amazing moment when one tenant rediscovered his cycling skills after not riding a bicycle for 25 years! All other tenants and staff attended a cycling proficiency test to promote outdoor activity and community involvement.
Arts & Craft – Many of the products from the art groups are now in Newby House garden of tenants flats for usage.
There are also weekly quiz nights and the occasional tombola organised by tenants and staff to get the Halewood community involved and raise funds!
What the tenants have to say:
John said “Nordic Walking and badminton group has improved my physical health. I also attend a math’s group where my confidence has grown after passing my first ever exam!! I could not have achieved this without the support from staff at Newby House”
David said “Its all go here at Newby House! It has taken me over two years to embrace the maxim ‘A healthy body – A healthy mind’ At first it is difficult to get motivated, although once one gets started and sees the benefits the motivation comes more readily. Here at Newby House we have a well established badminton group playing every Thursday evening, somewhat strenuouly. I am currently doing an instructors course in Nordic walking which will eventually enable me to set up some new groups in the Halewood area. At Newby House we also have an arrangement with Halewood rangers to use their bicycles so we can enjoy an hours relaxing cycle ride. Currently we are starting a fishing group that several tenants have shown an interest in this. Along with all my physical activities I have enrolled on a couple of academic courses. Two years ago I would never believed I would be capable, able or willing to partake in these, or any other activity. My motivation, besides my decreasing waste line, came mostly from staff here at Newby House. When one knows they can rely on good staff support all the anxiety, paranoia and sense of the unknown can be addressed together.”