Solihull Support Group
The Solihull Osteoporosis Support Group offers support in the following ways to those affected by osteoporosis and their carers:
- Meetings throughout the year on a range of topics
- Regular exercise classes in Shirley, Solihull and Castle Bromwich
- Coffee mornings
- Fundraising events
- Newsletters
- Talks to groups
Meetings 2010
Cost: £1 per meeting, including refreshments.
28 January – 2 pm
Ian Thomas from Community First Response Team
Venue: Shirley Community Centre
18 March – 2 pm
Tai Chi for Osteoporosis
Venue: John Palmer Hall, Solihull
6 May – 2 pm
Cat Yates, Macmillan Cancer Support
Venue: Shirley Community Centre
23 September – 2 pm
Scrapbooking with Jean Green. Bring a photo with a story.
Venue: Shirley Community Centre
4 November – 2 pm
AGM followed by Dr Brian Crichton, Osteoporosis Q&A session.
Venue: John Palmer Hall Solihull
9 December – 2 pm
Christmas Quiz
Venue: John Palmer Hall, Solihull
The date for the Annual sponsored walk in Shirley Park will be 10 June 2010.
Exercise classes
These gentle exercise classes are approved as being suitable for people with osteoporosis or arthritis. The cost is £16 per half term (£15 for members of the National Osteoporosis Society). They are very popular classes attended by ladies and a few men (more are welcome!) ranging from their fifties to young-at-heart eighties. They are currently held at three venues:
Wednesdays at 9.30 am – 11 am and 11 am to 12.30 pm
Solihull Methodist Church Hall
Blossomfield Road
Solihull
Thursdays at 9.30 am – 11 am and 11 am to 12.30 pm
Shirley Community Centre
Stratford Road
Shirley
Wednesdays at 2.00 pm – 3.30 pm
St Clements Church Hall
Green Lane
Castle Bromwich
You are welcome to come and give the class a try free of charge, but please telephone first to check that we will be there.
Gentle exercise classes consist of:
1. MOBILITY AND WARM UP
Slowly and rhythmically putting the joints and main muscle groups through a wide range of movements and preparing them for the involvement to follow.
2. MAJOR ACTIVITY
Increasing the intensity, low impact through joints, strengthening bones and building muscle. The heartbeat is raised to a comfortable level improving cardio vascular performance.
3. COOLING DOWN
Tapering down slowly from the main workout until the body is back to a steady state.
4. STRETCHING
Stretching the muscles that have been involved in the exercise to take out any tension.
5. VARIETY
Other exercises can be line dancing, use of equipment for resistance strength and toning, Tai Chi.
6. BENEFITS
Improving posture and balance; building confidence; reducing pain and stiffness; socialising and enjoyment.
Coffee Mornings
In Spring 2008 it was decided to organise a regular coffee morning at a central location with good access to buses, car parks and shops.
The aim was to encourage National Osteoporosis Society members who do not attend the exercise classes, and those who do, to come along and chat over a cup of coffee.
This is an informal occasion held in an area set aside for our group. 18 people attended the first coffee morning and although attendance varies from month to month they are well received by those who come along. There will not necessarily be a member of the committee on hand at every coffee morning.
Coffee mornings are held on the first Monday of the month, including Bank Holidays, from 10 am.
The venue is the Wetherspoons Assembley Room,
Poplar Road, Solihull (next to Lloyds Bank).
More information
Patron: Lorely Burt MP
Telephone: 0121 705 3342
Email: nosjulie@talktalk.net
Website: www.osteoporosis-solihull.co.uk