Corby HR specialist creates online exercise videos for adults with special needs

Adults with special needs in Northamptonshire will be staying active during the coronavirus outbreak thanks to tailor-made online exercise videos created by a Corby-based HR specialist.

With the temporary closure of Teamwork Trust’s Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough centres – which support autistic adults and adults with mental health needs and learning and physical

disabilities – the charity has had to devise new and inventive ways to continue its essential ‘Living & Learning’ programme and help service-users through the challenging period, remotely.

Among Teamwork Trust’s new online programmes, Gateway HR’s lead performance coach, Graham Ravenscroft has demoed a series of simple bodyweight exercises, including scissor swings, jumping jacks and calf raises.

The charity’s service-users are looking forward to getting involved and posting their own videos on social media to show how much fun they are having.

Graham, who has more than 30 years of experience writing programmes for athletes, Olympians and World Champions, said: “For Teamwork’s service-users and all adults with special needs, this period of self-isolation and social distancing will be particularly tough.

“Keeping physically active is proven to reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression, improve self-esteem, reduce stress levels and puts us all in a much better mood, so it really was a great pleasure to be asked to make the videos.

“Bring able to contribute to the happiness and physical and mental wellbeing of service-users is a real privilege, and I look forward to seeing how everyone take part with their family or visiting care workers.”

John Bruce, strategic director at Teamwork Trust said: “Like many charities during this outbreak, we have had to make huge changes in a short space of time to the way we deliver our key services in the community, especially for our most vulnerable members who might live alone.

“For the time being, all our ‘Living & Learning’ programmes will run remotely via phone calls, visits and the website.

"Gateway HR’s new exercise videos form part of our growing online support hub which we will be adding to over the coming weeks, and we can’t thank the Gateway HR team

enough for their support.”

For more information on Teamwork’s coronavirus (COVID-19) support hub and remote ‘Living & Learning’ services visit: www.teamworktrust.co.uk.

Teamwork Trust works with and supports its Northamptonshire members – adults with mental health needs, learning and physical disabilities – who can choose from enabling and education projects, activities and counselling programmes.

It offers a friendly, supportive environment where individuals can make new friends, access education and employment experience and regain self-esteem and confidence.

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