TH latest community news from Barmouth.

Social scheme

A NEW social scheme designed to prevent elderly people falling over is due to begin next month.

In Wales, it is estimated that about a third of people over the age of 65, and half of the over 80s age group fall every year.

Falls represent over half of hospital admissions for accidental injury, particularly hip fracture, with fractures costing the NHS an estimated at £1.7bn per year.

As a result of these troubling figures, the Wales National Exercise Referral Scheme, Gwynedd Council’s Health Communities Department and the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board are supporting an exercise programme to help prevent falls.

The programme, which will get underway on 21 March, will see a physiotherapist and an exercise professional working together at the Pavilion Leisure Centre. The programme will aim to improve strength and balance for older adults to prevent falls and fractures.

The initiative has been designed by specialist training providers, Later Life Training and is based on evidence research. The seven components of the programme include strength, balance, flexibility, endurance, floor activities, getting up and off the floor and Tai Chi.

Cllr Mair Rowlands, Gwynedd Council’s Cabinet member for Healthy Gwynedd said: “It’s excellent to see this type of collaboration between Health and Leisure to ensure that there is a programme to help people who have either had a fall or are afraid of falling because of issues with their balance.

“This may affect their confidence to go out of the house and could cause people to become isolated.

“This class offers practical exercises and has a lovely social aspect with a cup of tea at the end of the session.”

More details are available from James Richards at the Pavilion Leisure Centre, on 07833 441175 or Clare Horton at the Physiotherapy Department, Tywyn Hospital.

Publicity Association

BARMOUTH Publicity Association will be holding their AGM on Thursday, 16 February, at The Royal.

It will be launching the new Barmouth Town Guide and sharing details about the future of the Tourist Information Centre.

The meeting starts at 7.30pm but you may choose to go along at 6pm and join the members for dinner at The Royal.

The hotel would like to know numbers so let Heather Brown at Bryn Melyn on 01341 280556 know if you are going for the meal. Put this event in your diary, the committee look forward to seeing you there.

Gym

THE leisure centre has received new equipment for the gym through a deal struck by Gwynedd Council which has enabled a number of centres to be upgraded. Given the proven effects of exercise on both mental and physical health this development should be welcomed by all. The gym is a well used facility in Barmouth and is set to become even more popular with the high tech equipment now installed.

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