Summary
Exploring strategies to build on, extend and utilise the wealth of online fitness classes and teachers that arose in response to pandemic restrictions, in particular to encourage regular exercise and socialisation for those whose access to these is restricted, eg by age, disability, health, vulnerability or location.
Aim
To utilise the wealth of online exercise/ fitness classes and communities that have arisen in response to restrictions due to the COVID 19 pandemic, in order to improve health, fitness and wellbeing in the community, in particular for those for whom face to face classes would be difficult or impossible.
Strategies
Compile a register of online instructors and classes, divided by local regions (perhaps borough councils). Could start small – perhaps one or two counties at first and then extend.
Formulate a directory, giving details eg times, cost, suitability etc.
Encourage local councils ( possibly using their well-being areas) to signpost to directory on their websites.
Encourage participant instructors to carry on offering Zoom classes alongside face to face classes when these resume. Perhaps offer a small grant as incentive and to help with the technology.
Encourage GPs to prescribe online classes where these would improve a patient’s fitness, mobility, wellbeing and mental health and where patients cannot, or are reluctant to, access actual classes.
Publicity – local/national press, media etc.
Provision of IT support / training to instructors?
NB
Most of these classes depend on word of mouth or posters up in church halls etc to attract participants. It is essential to widen awareness of the resources available. Some instructors do have websites, but you need to know of them first. A directory and signposting is essential.
Monitoring and Review
Keep directory up to date with an annual review.
Monitor numbers accessing these services by asking for attendance registers to be kept and submitted ( perhaps a condition of the grant), although it is important to remember that a small class can be of enormous value to its participants.
Online evaluation / feedback forms for instructors and participants . Important to keep these simple.
Evaluate success of this venture using criteria to be agreed, possibly attendance numbers, positive evaluations, take up by GPs etc.
Observation/Sampling of some classes( with consent of instructor / participants ).
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