Steady Steps

What is Steady Steps?

Our Steady Steps programmes are free specific falls prevention group exercise classes. They are designed to help those whom have suffered a fall, or are at an increased risk of falls, or who might also find themselves socially isolated. 

A programme of Steady Steps includes weekly 1.5 hour group exercise classes for 24 weeks, and these classes include a mixture of seated and standing exercise, alongside sometime for a cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit, with free refreshments also provided at each of our Steady Steps Classes.

The aim is to enable participants to feel more confident about being able to safely go about their everyday lives, for example walking to the shops, and support them to comfortably and confidently get down to floor level and back up again. These classes are free, fun and social, and every participant receives a home exercise booklet and diary to support exercise at home too.

Am I eligible?

Our Steady Steps classes run as step two on our Falls Prevention Pathway, and therefore have initial assessments that must be completed before commencing, in order to assess participants eligibility. The first session of each Steady Steps programme is therefore an enrolment session and will include the completion of physical assessments. The second session is when the exercise will commence. 

People may be eligible for the Steady Steps programme if:

• They are aged over 65
• They are at risk of falling (e.g. have a high fear or falling or poor balance) or have fallen previously
• They have fallen less than 4 times in the past 12 months.
• They take less than 4 prescription medications

If you have any questions regarding eligibility please get in touch. 

If participants are not eligible we will encourage them to attend one of our seated activity classes or Level 2 Exercise Classes. We run these throughout the district and these provide participants with the ideal opportunity to build up strength, mobility and flexibility ahead of attending a full Steady Steps course.

If you would like to see what our classes are like and if they will be right for you, then watch our Steady Steps Whitwick Park Hall Class video for a taster. 

Upcoming Classes:

Our Steady Steps programmes are aimed at anyone aged over 65 that has either previously suffered a fall or might be worried about falling in the future.

Wednesday 4^th September, Ashby Leisure Centre

3 - 4.30pm

For more details and to book, please contact tom.bodle@nwleicestershire.gov.uk booking is essential as spaces are limited. 

How can I book onto Steady Steps?

You can book a space on our Steady Steps programmes by contacting Tom Bodle directly on tom.bodle@nwleicestershire.gov.uk. Booking is essential as spaces are limited. 

Alternatively, you can be referred to us here at the council to be considered for these classes by your GP, and we will call you directly, so ask your GP. Or you can complete a self-referral through First Contact Plus, and that will also come straight through to us and we will call you back.  

Why do we need Steady Steps and how have previous participants found them?

As the NHS (2018) highlights, around 1 in 3 adults over 65 who live at home will have at least one fall a year, and about half of these will have more frequent falls. These falls don't always result in injury, but can lead to broken bones and cause older people to lose their confidence and independence. 

NWLDC is working in partnership with Leicester-Shire and Rutland Sport and Better Care Together (Bringing together NHS England, West Leicestershire Clinical Commissioning Group, East Midlands Ambulance Service, Health and Wellbeing Boards, Leicestershire Partnership Trust) to bring these free Steady Steps classes to our community.

Jackie, one of the Steady Steps Class Member’s said: “Doing this class has helped me for certain. I can do loads more than I used to be able to do. I enjoy coming to the class as the other people are a great bunch, we do all the classes together and this encourages me. This class has helped me no end, particularly confidence wise.”

Councillor Alison Smith MBE from NWLDC, said: “We need to be proactive in supporting our aging population and Steady Steps can help people to avoid entirely preventable trips or falls.

“The social benefits of this programme are fantastic too and it really helps people to meet new people while they’re building up their strength.

“The sessions are relaxed and a lot of fun, so if you know a friend or a family member that might benefit, make sure they know about the scheme.”

What information is there about preventing falls and being active at home?

YouTube videos:

Take a watch of this YouTube video produced by the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) Falls Prevention Group on preventing falls - exercises to reduce your risk of a fall. It gives some tips about things you can do to reduce your chances of falling over, like looking after your feet, as well as some simple exercises that you can do at home. 

This video from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, called Stay active at home - strength and balance exercises for older adults. The video goes through a range of exercises for you.

Age UK have produced this video, how to reduce your risk of falling. It talks through a range of steps that you could take around your home to lower your chances of suffering a fall. 

They have also produced a video on how frailty leads to loneliness and isolation. But exercise can help...

What happens after Steady Steps?

Upon completing our Steady Steps programme, as the next step along the pathway, we run Steady Steps Plus Classes. These are available throughout the district and allow participants to continue along their falls prevention and strengthening journey, maintaining all of the benefits that have been developed over the previous weeks of exercise and continuing to grow stronger. 

Case Studies

Case study 1

Jill is a lady in her 80’s who lives in Ashby De La Zouch. She suffers with osteoporosis and is currently taking part in a steady steps programme at Ashby Leisure Centre and Lido. The Steady Steps programme is aimed at increasing balance and strength to decrease the likelihood of a fall. At the time Jill spoke with us she was on week 21 of the 24 week course.

As an ex primary school PE teacher Jill is well aware of the benefits of physical activity. Although Jill is aware of the benefits she stated that she often lacks in motivation to do physical activity. She has found the class to be hugely motivational and has inspired her to increase her physical activity. She states that the instructor, Danny, is inspiring, encouraging and hugely motivational.

Having fallen previously on numerous occasions she has noted the huge benefits gained from this programme. Not only has it increased her fitness, strength and balance. She states that Danny has inspired her to do more outside of this class. Jill also stated her awareness has increased dramatically, this can be a huge element in falls prevention. Making people more aware of the way they move, transition and how they carry objects can be a huge factor in helping individuals reduce the likelihood of falls. Jill is now much more aware of her surroundings and the class is tailored to activities that mimic those of daily living. Such as standing on tip toes whilst lifting an object into a cupboard, getting up and down from the floor correctly and safely.

In terms of day to day activities she states the class has made these activities much easier. Getting up and down from her chair and carrying loads are much easier now due to increased strength. She noted that the activities for her ankles have really benefited her. Also moving the ankles and squeezing the calves to increase blood flow before standing has been hugely beneficial in preventing dizziness on standing by reducing the likelihood of a drop in blood pressure. This is a useful strategy in reducing falls due to dizziness.

The class instructor Danny made the class fun and informative which has really helped Jill continue with the class rather than it seem like a chore. The fact that there is a lot of laughter at times during the class makes it fun. She is also very keen to carry on with physical activity when the 24 weeks is finished. They are currently discussing continuing in a Steady Steps Plus class to maintain the great progress they have made so far.

Case study 2

Steady Steps is a very important and valuable class for me and for all who are unsteady and have a history of falling. It is hugely beneficial that we have good instruction to learn, manage and increase our exercising in a safe and controlled way. The results are clearly visible in the improved posture and balance of all members in our group since starting this course. Personally,  I also enjoy being a member of a regular weekly gathering of similarly-aged people, there are social benefits.

The main benefit of course, is that we are learning how to strengthen the necessary muscles to keep us safe from falling over and to enable us to lead a fulfilling lifestyle.

It is great that we were supplied with an exercise band and booklet to take home with us so we can repeat some exercises throughout the week.

_{Anonymous participant at Ashby Leisure Centre – Steady Steps}