Free seated exercise classes offered in Northampton

Walfinch home care Northampton is running free seated exercise classes to improve community health and social life.

Walfinch Northampton Managing Director Oliver Adams and his team are running the Walfinch Thrive Club at The Sawpits Centre, Towcester offering seated exercise led by professional personal trainer Greg McComb. The sessions, on Fridays at 11.30am, are open to all ages (18+) and abilities, free of charge, and include time to chat over drinks and homemade cakes.

Oliver says: “From being a carer, I know that lack of mobility excludes many people from exercise classes, so our exercises can be personalised to suit each person, and the opportunity to chat always makes people feel good.

“A friendly crowd already comes along and we are also considering introducing arts and crafts sessions as part of the Thrive Club. We ask people what other activities they would like and do our best to facilitate it.”

Walfinch Northampton is currently offering companionship care, but will be offering a wide range of care services soon.

Expanding our care services

Oliver, a trained carer with domiciliary care and care home experience,  formerly ran his own care service. He says: “I love care, and I wanted to help more people, so, encouraged by psychotherapist and counsellor Sally Adams (my mum), we invested in a Walfinch care franchise.

“That means we can start a bigger care business, supported by Walfinch’s experienced team of business and care experts, which I think is a safer way to start.”

Sally, who has a PhD in Human Factors, has worked in the NHS and is now a Director of Walfinch Northampton. Oliver says: “She already works closely with the England care regulator the CQC on issues such as managing risk and safeguarding, and she brings mental health expertise to our clients and the care team.”

Oliver and Sally recently recruited their Registered Care Manager, Rebecca Gjorgji, who has 17 years of experience in home care as a senior carer, deputy manager and registered manager, with special expertise in complex care, spinal and brain injury rehabilitation, and mental health. She also has a degree in Business Management, plus consultancy experience in helping social care businesses improve quality, compliance, operations and services delivery.

Care hub for the community

Oliver says: “Our ambition is for Walfinch Northampton to be a source of high quality care at home and in the community, and a connection point for advice about all kinds of services, plus charity and community help such as dementia cafes.”

The care service will launch in October. “We will deliver genuine person-centred care. Attention to simple details like having tea and toast score cards mean our clients still feel in control of their lives, which is what quality care should look like,” says Oliver.

“Sally and I plan to grow Walfinch Northampton to have a team of 20-30 carers who all share our passion for making care into a life-transforming experience for every client. Care does not have to be a negative experience, because carers work to improve life every day.”     

The Thrive Clubs take place at The Sawpits Centre, Towbury Ln, Richmond Rd, Towcester NN12 6EX