Fighting Fit and Feeling Great!

Ready...Set...Go!

Strengthening the 'Circle of Health'

Ryan's role empowers residents, giving them the ability to take charge of their health, choose to make some really positive changes and see the benefits manifested through real, impactful results! Whilst there are already plenty of opportunities for residents to join group exercise sessions, such as yoga, PT-led seated circuit-training style sessions, seated zumba, dance and gentle walks in the grounds and local countryside, Ryan's sessions are different.

Working in partnership

'Fitness Coach' sessions are a partnership between each  individual resident, Ryan and resident's Health Care Professionals.  The sessions are undertaken on a voluntary basis by residents and for those classed as 'Essential' clients, are arranged in response to medical advice and follow direct Health Professional instruction.  This could be following prescribed exercises after surgery, injury or for preventative care.  The exercise sessions themselves take place in the privacy of the resident's own room, or wherever they are happy to get involved.  The length and content of the sessions vary in accordance with how each resident feels at the time of exercise, their ability and the instruction provided by the referring Health Care Professional.  These are not sweat breaking, strenuous 'all out' exercise sessions but quiet, focused sessions where residents' feedback is as important as the exercise itself. 

Take Duncan for example, who suffered with a constant debilitating ache in his shoulder for which medical support was sought.  Alongside pain medication the Health Care Professionals prescribed a series of gentle shoulder mobility exercises which Duncan undertook on a daily basis with the guidance and support of the Fitness Coach. A few months after starting this guided exercise plan, Duncan has greater range movement in his shoulder and no longer requires the prescribed pain medication. 

"My shoulder was sore before but now I'm doing my exercises it's much better. It bothered me through the night but now I'm sleeping great."

Whole Person Empowerment

Much of the work Ryan undertakes with residents is preventative, integrated programmes of exercise designed to strengthen weakened muscles and improve balance and co-ordination.  Having joined William Simpsons a number of years ago, initially as a Support Worker before gaining the relevant qualifications and experience to become a Team Leader, Ryan understands the importance of our 'whole person' approach to care:

"The Fitness Coach provision works on so many different levels that it goes way beyond the positive effects of physical exercise. It's a partnership which gives residents the power to actively improve their health through manageable, achievable exercises.  Many of the exercises can be undertaken self-directed which mean residents can increase the frequency of their routines by doing extra rounds of their exercises themselves, taking ownership of their journey."

As part of his 'wrap around' provision, Ryan provides regular comprehensive updates and reports to each resident's care team and accompanies participating residents to relevant health care appointments, ensuring the circle of care is complete.

After working with the Fitness Coach for just over two months, resident George is a stone lighter and he is feeling amazing!  George is following the reduction plan and is undertaking regular exercise in the form of short walks several times a day.

People Power

The success of the Fitness Coach programme is down to the ability of individual residents to embrace change, something which can feel quite challenging.  The power of the programme lies in its partnership, between the resident, the health care professionals, the Fitness Coach and the wider support staff network within the Home and from the resident's own family.  There's a strong, flexible network supporting each individual resident as they commit to seeing through these life enhancing changes.  The ethos of the programme is to build small, incremental, sustainable changes without any push or rush to reach the next goal, a whole person, partnership approach to enhanced health and fitness. 

What next?

The Fitness Coach programme began in October 2025 focusing on 'Essential' clients, those prescribed exercise by their Health Care professionals, and providing 'natural weight loss support' through portion control and tailored exercise. Ryan is already looking to the future, researching accredited exercise plans for life long illnesses such as Parkinson's and delving further into the expansive area of 'falls prevention'.

At William Simpsons we never stand still and the evolution of the Fitness Coach programme has added another dimension to our care provision. We're delighted to share the start of this exciting journey with you!