Improved health and wellness restored confidence and taking back control are just a few of the benefits being boasted by a pilot fitness programme for patients living with and beyond cancer at QEH, in partnership with Alive West Norfolk.
The eight-week programme has been running since April 2022 at the hospital’s Cancer Wellbeing and Support Centre and is designed to help patients keep active and maintain their quality of life. The programme is delivered by trained Cancer Rehabilitation Exercise Professionals from Alive West Norfolk.
The weekly session lasts for 40 minutes with one-to-one exercise activities that are low impact and individually tailored to the patient’s needs. The programme also offers advice and coaching to patients with the aim of improving health and wellness, energy levels and restoring confidence for patients undergoing cancer treatment and beyond.
Jose Faria, one of the Cancer Rehabilitation Exercise Professionals from Alive West Norfolk said: “This is such an amazing programme and the patients involved really do benefit, both physically and mentally. It’s great working with them and seeing first-hand what a difference exercise can have on clinical outcomes.”
Sue Engledow, one of the participants, said: “This programme has made such a positive difference to my mental health. I’m not a gym goer, but I love hiking, and this has really empowered me take control of what I love.
“I recently completed the Macmillan Mighty Hike and it’s all thanks to this programme – without it, it wouldn’t have been possible.”
While these sessions are primarily aimed at health and wellness, the benefits extend much further. For many the programme helps patients restore their confidence and transition back into regular activities and routines following treatment, and even supporting people as they return to work.
Claire Anderson, another participant, said: “This has given me so much confidence, not just in terms of exercise but in every aspect of life.
“At the end of my treatment I looked and felt so different, and for me this programme has really helped me take back control of my life and gave me the confidence to go back to work.”
Since April 2022 30 participants have completed the programme and following the huge success this has been funded to continue for another year.
Vicky Mitchell, Macmillan Information and Support Manager at QEH’s Cancer Wellbeing and Support Centre, said: “I am absolutely delighted this programme has been renewed for another year, we are so excited and will be making some changes to how we deliver this.
“Going forward, the first six weeks will be completed here onsite at QEH in a one-to-one setting, with the last two weeks being completed at Alive Lynnsport gym in a group setting to really help our patients boost their confidence further, try different exercise within the gym environment while surrounded by familiar faces.’’
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For further information, please contact Communications Team, media.enquiries@qehkl.nhs.uk or 01553 613216.
To download the press release, click here.
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