Diverse Little Colours
At Diverse Little Colours, we are a passionate social enterprise dedicated to enhancing the well-being of the wider community through innovative and inclusive activities. Our mission is to create a vibrant, supportive, and intergenerational community where everyone feels valued, heard, and empowered.
Diverse Little Colours
Stay Fit with Chair Bollywood: Movement, Joy and the Power of Staying Active
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This episode takes a closer look at Stay Fit with Chair Bollywood, a free chair exercise initiative bringing the colour, energy and joy of Bollywood movement to older adults in care homes.
We discuss how the project came to life, the journey it has taken us on so far, and the wonderfully positive feedback we have received from residents, care staff and families along the way. Hearing how these sessions have brightened people's days, sparked smiles and encouraged movement in those who least expected to enjoy exercise has been truly humbling.
We also take a moment to express our sincere gratitude to Sport England, whose generous funding has made this project possible. Without their support, we would not have been able to reach the people who need it most, and we are incredibly thankful for their belief in what we are doing.
Along the way, we explore the very real benefits of chair-based exercise for older adults, including improved joint mobility and flexibility, better circulation and heart health, boosted mood and mental wellbeing, gentle strength and posture support, and the social benefits of taking part in a shared, enjoyable activity. These benefits may seem small on their own, but together they can make a meaningful difference to the daily lives and overall wellbeing of older adults.
Whether you work in a care setting, support an older loved one, or are simply curious about accessible ways to stay active, this episode is well worth a listen.
Stay Fit with Chair Bollywood is proof that exercise does not have to be intimidating. Sometimes all it takes is a great song, a sturdy chair, and the willingness to give it a go.
Hi, my name is Reginda from Diverse Little Colours, and I'm so happy in terms of the last few sessions where we get amazing feedback for the chair body word sessions that we've been doing. What's really really great is that with chair exercise, no matter what ability you have, you can get involved. We really do this because it's so good just for your flexibility, your circulation, your posture, and what's also nice is that just for feeling good, you know, it's really really good because your mental well-being really does take a really good positive aspect in this one. Now, what I really like is the feedback that we've been getting from residents, especially when I go to care homes and they and they come back and I hear from the activities coordinator, even for when I talk to them afterwards, and they say, Oh, I really, really enjoyed that session. And you look around and you see the residents talking to each other, it just creates that positive aspect where hey, we've done a really great session. I know they're really enjoying themselves, but at the end of the day as well, they get together, it's something for them to look forward to. And do you know this has really been made possible by Sport England as well? So, really, really want to thank them for helping us with this project as well. And we really want to keep going forward with this, doing more of these sessions. I personally have really enjoyed doing this and uh will carry on doing this. So it was just more of a uh a podcast really to say that this is something where I will be doing more podcasts on this, the benefits, and as I go through to more care homes and as I do more YouTube exercises as well, be talking more about the positive aspects as well. So, look, is it has a physical connection, has a mental well-being as well, sort of thing, and that social connection. So I really, really like that. And what's nice is chair exercise can be done by many people in terms of no matter what, you know, if they have limited mobility as well, uh, it really helps them as well. And I always say, look, at the end of the day, give it a go, and you know, uh, exercise and movement, it can only make us feel better, sort of thing. Because remember, as we age, we know we tend to become stiff and things get a bit uncomfortable. So that regular gentle movement really does help to keep those joints lubricated and mobile, even if it's just for 10 15 minutes a day. Anyway, I'll speak to you soon. Take care.