After a long two and a half year wait, St Barnabas Hospice were delighted to restart their free seated tai chi sessions for patients on Wednesday 3rd August 2022.
Seated tai chi is a gentle form of slow exercise for people of all abilities, and this class has been especially adapted for our patients at St Barnabas. It is a great exercise option for those with limited mobility, and the sessions can be followed at your own pace.
Jude Tring, Health and Rehabilitation Support Worker, delivers the classes, which include a social group element, every Wednesday afternoon at the St Barnabas building on Hawthorn Road in Lincoln. Patients who attend these sessions can bring along a partner or friend for support, and will be offered six sessions, with a video provided afterwards to continue the exercise at home.
The first patient to come through the door since the Covid pandemic began was Sally and her husband Ian, pictured. Sally was presented with a symbolic flower by Jude, and thoroughly enjoyed the session, alongside several other St Barnabas patients.
The patients and their spouses spent half an hour before and after the session talking and getting to know each other over a drink and biscuits, giving them the opportunity to meet new people that understand their journey.
Jude comments: “It was a wonderful feeling to be able to offer our patients access to this social contact and peer support again, which has been greatly missed over the length of the Covid pandemic. And of course, the great benefit of these sessions is the health and wellbeing that comes from the tai chi itself.
“All attendees left smiling and relaxed and said they were looking forward to coming back again next week!”
People with a life-limiting or terminal illness may find that due to the effects of illness, long stays in hospital and fatigue, patients can lose muscular and core strength and general fitness. Tai chi performed regularly can help to promote increased muscle tone, joint mobility, and create a feeling of wellbeing and relaxation.
St Barnabas Hospice is currently running the sessions for patients in Lincoln, with plans to expand this service to other areas of the county soon.
Please note, these sessions are only available for patients receiving care from St Barnabas Hospice.