Seated exercises help physical and mental health

People attending free seated exercises classes and laughing yoga said it has helped improve their physical and mental wellbeing.

Laugh, Move & Groove takes its sessions around community centres and care homes in Jersey to help keep people moving.

The not-for-profit group also works with charities as well to support people of different physical abilities to stay active.

It has been shortlisted for the BBC Radio Jersey Make a Difference Awards for its work.

Linda Crawford started coming to the classes in St Ouen’s Parish Hall nine months ago.

She said: “I want to keep as fit as I possibly can… I thought it was sitting down so it wouldn’t be very strenuous, but it is very strenuous.

“Because my body feels it’s moved a lot, my mind feels calm as well.

“It’s made an enormous difference for people on all kinds of levels, with all kinds of perhaps physical restrictions on how they can move.”

Jackie Turner is one of the volunteers who helps lead the sessions.

She said: “It’s just a fun environment and you can see that people enjoy it because it’s a different way of exercising.

“It’s also about the friendships and the social aspects as well because as you get older, sometimes the social aspects of your life fall away a little bit.”

The winners of the BBC Radio Jersey Make a Difference Awards are due to be announced on 14 September.

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