Being active when you’re a carer can be more challenging. That’s why Carers UK are running Carers Active April. This month long campaign aims to support unpaid carers to be physically active and raise awareness of the benefits of physical activity for carers and the barriers they may face.
Research from Carers UK found that 67% of unpaid carers said taking part in physical activity helped them feel more connected to other people, and 73% said that being physically active makes them feel good about themselves.
The month will raise awareness about the importance of physical activity and provide lots of opportunities for carers to be active. You’ll be supported and encouraged to take part in any activity that works for you, whether that’s walking, jogging, yoga or simple exercises around your home and garden. They’ll also be lots of events, support and offers available throughout Lincolnshire to help support Carers to be active.
By signing up to Carers Active April you’ll receive:
Get Involved with Free events from Carers First, take advantage of Discounted Gym Memberships, Wellbeing Walks, Online Activities with One You Lincolnshire and Dance Free outdoor silent discos!
Carers First in Lincolnshire are putting on a number of events for Carers Active April. All the events are available for members of Carers First Lincolnshire.
If you’re an unpaid carer aged over 16 in Lincolnshire, Carers First Lincolnshire can offer you support with online help and advice as well as 1-2-1 practical and emotional support.
Carers can take advantage of a free Anytime Class Pass, and free Gym Pass during April at Birchwood Leisure Centre and Yarborough Leisure Centre. You will also be able to enjoy a discount in their cafes, where Carers’ social events will also be taking place. Both Yarborough Leisure Centre and Birchwood have lots of classes and opportunities to get active.
If you love swimming then why not try the new Swim for All sessions at Yarborough running 12 -1pm on the 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th April?
Acitivities can be booked on the door or over the form. Anyone who mentions Carers Active April can get a free swim pass for that session. Carers can also access a free month of Active Nation Anywhere (online classes), these can be set up in person or over the phone. To get in touch by telephone please contact:
Birchwood: 01522 304 450
Yarborough: 01522 304 402
Follow the links below for more details about classes and sessions at both venues.
Geoff Moulder Leisure Centre in Boston are offering discounted membership for carers for £25pm for Carers Active April.
The centre has lots of sessions to enjoy. For anyone looking for low impact exercise that support health conditions, we recommend their Goodboost Aqua sessions, which take place on Wednesdays at 9 – 10am.
Carer’s go free all month at Magna Vitae’s venues in East Lindsey!
Their venues have lots of sessions for anyone starting their journey to being more active. Older adults might enjoy Ageless and Agile sessions which take place at all four venues. These sessions cater for older people who want to keep their fitness levels up whilst finding a new hobby.
Throughout April, Better GLL have lots of opportunities for carers to be active, with support along the way. Members of Carers UK, and anyone who is in receipt of Carer’s Allowance can take advantage of discounted membership of £25 per month between 1 April – 6 May. If you’d like to take advantage of this offer please get in touch with Shaun.Fisher@gll.org.
There are also existing memberships available for people in receipt of Carer’s Allowance, including the Better Flex Adult Concessionary (for £5 a month you can enjoy one free activity a month and discount on additional bookings).
During April, Better are offering free health checks at the Health Hub in North Hykeham, and free taster sessions of Pickleball and racquet sports as well as supervised gym sessions. Follow the link to find a full timetable of special events.
To access the special offers listed on this page, you might be asked to prove that you are a carer.
You can do this by showing:
Wellbeing Walks are short walks, led by friendly, specially trained volunteer walk leaders, who are on hand to provide encouragement and support. Lincolnshire Co-op supports over 60 walks across Lincolnshire and Newark. Starting and finishing at the same location, all walks are free of charge, lasting between 30 and 90 minutes.
Wellbeing walks are inclusive and welcoming of all ages and fitness levels. They are also some walks that specifically cater for people with certain health conditions or disabilities as well.
Nettleham, 4 April, 12noon – 1pm (first Thursday of every month)
Meet at Nettleham Village Hall
Boultham Park, Lincoln, 10 April, 10-11am (2nd Wednesday of every month)
Starts from Boultham Park House Care Home, Rookery Lane, LN6 7PH (meets at the back gate adjoining the park)
Whisby Nature Park, meet at the Natural World Centre, every Monday, 10.30 – 11.30
This walk is specifically tailored for the visually impaired, but may be suitable for other disabilities also.
There’s no need to book, but if you would like more details get in touch with Lincolnshire co-op Wellbeingwalks@lincolnshire.coop or telephone 01522 544 632.
Find Wellbeing Walks and other led walks near you on our Activity Finder or follow the link below for more information about wellbeing walks.
Walking is one of the easiest ways to be active. You don’t need any special equipment to get started and you can fit it into your existing routine.
Find tips and ideas to get started and places to walk on our walking pages.
21.4 Challenge
One You Lincolnshire are offering carers the opportunity to sign up to their 21.4 challenge. This free of charge challenge encourages you to aim for 21.4 minute of movement every day during the month. Sign up an you’ll receive: weekly emails with tips to be active, Access to Gloji Gym a free online physical activity platform. Access to a home exercise booklets and more.
Carers Webinar
9th April, 12.30 -1pm
Find out how to access support with your health from One You Lincolnshire, the integrated lifestyle service for the county. If you can’t make the webinar at this time, please do still register and you’ll be able to watch a recorded version at a time to suit you.
Physical Activity Online Taster Session
17th April, 10.30 – 11.30am
Join One You Lincolnshire for this virtual taster session, which will include a head-to-toe mobility routine followed by some moderate cardio exercises and some simple resistance activities. All activities can be completed seated or standing. Attendees might like to bring some optional weights such as 2 x tins of beans or bottles of water.
One You Lincolnshire are the counties integrated lifestyle service. They can support with:
Find out more on their website.
Warm body and soul with an uplifting morning moving freely on the beach, energising, releasing and feeling active. Meet at 9.50am at Tetney Marshes car park and walk a few minutes together to the dance spot on the beach.
Wear comfy clothes in layers a bring water. It’s a warm, fun and welcoming space to let go and dance like no one is watching. Places are free for carers but booking is essential to reserve your headphones.
An uplifting sunset dance moving freely in nature to energise body and soul. Enjoy a guided movement meditation over gentle music to get you started, and then 1 hour music journey, where you can move as much or as little as you like, however you feel. The event uses silent disco headphones to provide an immersive experience.
Park and meet on South Park Road near Eastholme Care home, LN5 8ES for this event
16th, 23rd & 30th April, 6.30 -8pm
Dance free by the sea at sunset to shake of the day. Release, energise and connect to you, others and nature. Parking at Sea View Carpark.
21 April, 11am – 2pm
Give yourself permission to play and express yourself fully through art and movement. Connect to your inner playfulness and embrace creativity using a combination of art making, dance and meditation. This workshop will take place indoors and outdoors.
Follow the link below for more details about all the above events.
If you’re a carer on a low income and would like to have a complimentary ticket for one of these dance free evens please email dance.free@gmail.com
with a screenshot showing evidence of one of the following:
Julie has danced her whole life, when she developed Alzheimer’s, however, she had a harder time staying active in ways she always loved. Together with her husband Peter, who cares for her, she has taken up running, which allows them both to stay active and socialise with the wider community. Watch their video to find out more.
