Peaceful Warriors: Yoga for carers

Wigan Warriors Community Foundation are set to deliver a free yoga and wellbeing course for female carers after receiving funding from Sport England’s This Girl Can campaign.

The Community Foundation recognised the need to support female carers in the local area through the work that takes place within the Rugby Memories group, as it helps to reduce social isolation and support people living with dementia.

It is estimated that 36,000 people in Wigan support someone living with an illness or disability or a mental health need.

The course, aimed at females who look after those in need, will include beginners yoga sessions, breathing exercises, relaxation techniques, and mindfulness exercises.

Due to the current national lockdown, the Community Foundation plan to deliver a digital programme, using Zoom and social media.

Health and wellbeing manager, Claire Taylor, said: “Our group members, who are caring for a loved one living with dementia, told us they found it difficult to make time for themselves to unwind, and especially difficult to make time for exercise.

“We want to help people to be active, healthy, and be part of their community for longer.

“We want to offer the opportunity to carers to take time out for themselves – we hope the wellbeing programme will result in the carers feeling happier, healthier and better able to deal with the demands of caring.

“I’m really looking forward to delivering this course – yoga is a great tool to help people to relax, reduce stress, improve sleep and increase energy levels. As soon as it is safe to do so we will invite people to our facility for group delivery.”

For more information, or to enrol on the free course, please contact Claire by email – c.taylor@wiganwarriors.com.

There’s a helping hand for anyone looking for inspiration on a home work out thanks to Wigan Warriors Community Foundation, who have created a series of routine-based fitness videos aimed at the attendees of our Rugby Memories group.

As a way to stay connected with the group during the Covid-19 pandemic, and thanks to funding from the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, the Community Foundation are delivering a digital programme of activities to keep in touch, and keep people moving.

Check out the second weekly video below.