Funding given to Wealden organisations to deliver physical activities

This is the second round of funding, received from East Sussex Public Health, and is provided to charities and organisations in Wealden to deliver physical activities to residents and communities where health inequalities exist.

Health inequalities are about the differences in the care that people receive and opportunities given to lead healthy lives.Funding has been distributed to the following charities and organisations:

The Good Company People, based in Crowborough, welcomes over 65s to increase their fitness by improving strength and balance through exercise. Activities include table tennis, pool, curling, pétanque and other interactive games. They will also continue to provide chair-based exercises monthly at their lunch club, which as a result of the funding, will increase to two sessions a week.

The Conservation Volunteers will continue offering the Green Gym at The Wealden Crematorium in Horam. This is the district's first Green Gym and is an innovative concept that has a positive impact on mental and physical health, wellbeing, and the outdoor places where participants take part in supervised practical conservation activities.

Sussex Support Service will use the funding to continue running dance sessions and introducing other forms of exercise to give a variety of movement and exercise opportunities for those that attend. Sessions will be available in Uckfield and Cross-in-Hand. Activities will be open to all but will specifically be targeted at older people and those with caring responsibilities.

BreatheEasy is a support group that encourages and supports good health and the wellbeing of people who are living with Asthma and Chronic Lung Disease.

With the funding the charity will deliver a Pulmonary Rehabilitation Exercise Maintenance Programme to support people throughout Wealden to reduce breathlessness, increase muscle strength, increase stamina and endurance, increase confidence and improve their health-related quality of life.

Rotherfield St. Martin, a volunteer-led charity, provides support to older people living in rural communities in a friendly and fully inclusive environment. The activities, delivered in Rotherfield, will consist of new age indoor bowls, curling and boccia. These can be played seated or standing depending on ability and encourages social interaction and friendship, as well as improving movement.

They will also deliver water-based hydrotherapy exercise sessions. With the support of qualified instructors this seeks to improve balance, strength and movement.

Councillor Kelvin Williams, Alliance for Wealden (Liberal Democrat) and lead councillor for Public Health, Wellbeing and Asset Management, said, "The funding given to these charities and organisations continues to help remove and break down the inequality barriers giving everyone fairness and access to sports and physical activity. The funding will make a difference to people's lives. It improves mental health, physical activity levels and creates social interaction which are an important factor to bring happiness and fulfilment into our lives."