Presentation by Sarah Jarvis for ESRC Seminar Series on Ageing and Physical Activity - "Physical Activity as a 'Career': A Life Course Perspective" http://seminars.ecehh.org

1. Exercise and Older People – A
Community Practitioners
Perspective
Sarah Jarvis – Founder of ReActive
@ReActiveUK
FB- ReActiveUK
www.reactiveuk.com

2. About ReActive
 A specialized fitness company based in Cornwall founded in 2013 –
Self Funding
 Mission - strives to secure an active independence and improved
quality of life for older people by implementing ReActive propriety
‘Ready STEADY Go!’ Programme.
 Currently operating in 7 locations and have helped over 100
people to date… which includes local communities, support
groups, care and residential settings and day centres.

3. About Sarah – That’s me!!
 Been in the health and fitness industry for over 7 years
 Always had a great interest in exercise physiology and ageing
 Trained at St Thomas hospital in London to qualify as a Level 4
Postural Stability Instructor with Laterlife Training – the best
training providers I have been with!!
 Once qualified as a PSI, that’s when ReActive was founded.
 My own main mission has always been ‘I want to make a difference’
– so that is what I am seeking to do!

4. The need for Older People to Participate
in Exercise
 It is vital people keep themselves active and mobile throughout their life
 To feel valued and involved in their own community
 To educate them the importance of exercise for living a better quality of life
 To reduce social exclusion
 Make them feel happy and good in themselves

5.  Implemented my propriety ‘Ready STEADY Go!’ Programme.
 Focuses on improved mobility and the early intervention and
management of risk factors that lead to falls.
 Goal is to allow individuals to engage in an active, healthy
community that they feel valued and involved in.
 The 3 class programme consists of the ‘Ready, STEADY and Go!’
classes which gives people a choice, no matter what their age or
ability.

6. Ready Class – Predominately Residential and
Care Homes

7. STEADY Class – Community orientated, improve
Balance and Stability

8. Go! Class - A class suitable for the already active
50+ to maintain health and fitness

9. My Perspective so far
 There is a great deal of people out there that
need this kind of service but are not accessing it
 Needs to be more collaboration between services
– Physio -> Qualified Fitness Professional
 My participants have made this their habit and
really look forward to seeing their friends as well

10. Perspective Continued….
 Motivation and adherence is vital for older people and one thing I found
that helps that is building up a clan…….

11. Barriers and Challenges
 To keep remembering you are working with the older population and that
their health can suddenly deteriorate – this can have a knock on effect
with the whole class
 Having a class full of people with varying conditions – everything has to
be adaptable and alternatives available.
 The expectation - I am no miracle worker and falls unfortunately will still
happen
 For the community to understand the importance of these exercises
 Work with very fit retired people who still live a very active and social life

12. Positives
 Meeting very determined and special people, who want the help
and support – they have all become part of my growing family
 The changes in confidence and positive feedback
 People can share their own experiences with each other
 It allows them to put old age into perspective
 Feeling more mobile, conditions becoming easier to deal with, low
mood raised, increase confidence ..... Vi
 It is all about the small things and I have found that you have to
continually praise as they respond so well
 Gathering data and trends can be established over time - only one
year in, turnover of participants

13. Exercise has
changed my
life!!
The advice and help
from Sarah getting
me back into exercise
have been invaluable
We found it as an
incentive to get
out of the house
and support each
other
Feedback…
We always feel
motivated and
energised afterwards
Another positive
outcome is some of us
have improved
spirometry results and
peak flow!

14. Ann Bennett – A Participant
Perspective…..

15. Many Thanks for listening and here is something to
leave you with….All journeys big or small in life start
somewhere….
@ReActiveUK
FB- ReActiveUK
www.reactiveuk.com