When Beverley Teasdale from Plymouth suffered a bad fall into a glass cabinet, she knew she had to get help with her fitness. The 70-year-old has a detached retina and a cyst on her skull which interferes with her balance.
The former full-time carer admitted: “I have been shocked about reaching this age and suddenly having various things wrong. I lost a lot of confidence when out and about walking.”
Beverley attends the class at Plymstock United Church
Beverley said: “I am glad to say that my balance is coming back well. I am walking further than I used to and I have even persuaded my husband to get some walking boots. You have got to keep up with keeping fit otherwise you just waste away.”
According to NHS England, falls are the number one reason why people over 65 years old are taken to emergency departments in the UK. Approximately 1 in 20 older people living in the community experience a fracture or need hospitalisation after a fall. This accounts for more than four million bed days every year in England alone, at an estimated cost of £2 billion.
If a person who is frail goes on to fracture a wrist, hip or vertebra, there is a real risk that they may never recover the same level of independence again. The FaME programme acts as a preventative measure to reduce the likelihood and potential injury of a fall and importantly helps make everyday activities easier, so participants can keep on doing the things they enjoy.
Dean Blagdon is one of the Health Improvement Practitioners who leads the classes. He said: “We don’t just work on strength and balance. It is all elements of fitness such as increasing range of motion and improving flexibility.
“One of the key things is that we work towards backwards chaining. This is a technique which shows people how to get back up safely, should they end up on the floor. This really reduces the risk of lying on the ground for a long time, needing medical help to get up and a visit to hospital for treatment.”
Dean helping with backward chaining
Health Improvement Manager Paula Swift said: “The biggest thing people are reporting is they are more confident. We are seeing people who were too worried to catch a bus to get to the classes to start with and had to ask family members to bring them. Now they get here independently which is amazing to see. Some have even ditched their walking aids. The classes are making a massive difference to people’s lives, independence and wellbeing.”
What have been the benefits after completing the 24-week programme?
- Reducing falls – 88% reduction in the rate of falls (only 5% of attendees who completed the programme experienced a fall, in comparison to 70% in the 12 months before FaME).
- Reducing time in hospital – in the 12 months before attending the classes, 10% of people had broken at least one bone, 17% attended the Emergency Department and 5% had to stay in hospital as a result of a fall. There have currently been no broken bones, trips to A&E or admissions to hospital throughout the programme.
- Most participants improved their balance and muscle strength.
- Getting fitter – more than 80% of participants said they were actively planning on continuing with strength and balance exercise after finishing FaME.
86-year-old Eileen Cole prides herself on living independently and says her strength has improved in just ten weeks.
Eileen attends the class at the Plymstock United Church
She said: “Doing my housework is a lot easier, I’m digging with a spade in the garden and when I had to get down on the floor to read my meter, I managed to get up easier than I would have previously. So, I know the classes are helping me.”
Lorna Mckenzie joined the classes after having a knee replacement. The 73-year-old former GP receptionist said: “The exercises have strengthened my legs and my arms which really helps for getting up out of chairs. I have noticed it is much easier to get in and out of the car too.
“The classes keep you motivated. When you are in a group, you are inclined to do the exercises more than if you were at home.”
Lorna attends the class at the Plymstock United Church
The classes are free and are held at
- Foulston Park in Devonport
- William Sutton Village Hall in Crownhill
- Plymstock United Church in Plymstock
- Elm Community Centre in Estover – STARTING July 2025
- William Sutton Hub in St. Budeaux – STARTING September 2025
If you would like to find out more about joining the classes, call the team on 01752 437177 or book an appointment here FALLs Prevention – One You Plymouth.
We look forward to meeting you!
