Tai Chi for Arthritis

We have TCA part 1 beginners starting at almost every group session. They are inspired by our other members; some have been practising for over 2 ½ years. Everyone is on their own Tai Chi journey, it doesn’t matter how quickly or slowly you move forward, it’s the taking part that counts. With regular practice you soon feel the benefits.

Symptom of the Month

We completed the sleep theme in September and looked at different ways our sleep can be disturbed, followed by hints and tips on how to improve our sleep hygiene and routine.

In October we started to look at IBS with a brief overview of the subject. What it is, diet, lifestyle and medicines followed by further support.

Emotional Support

We completed the sleep theme in September and looked at different ways our sleep can be disturbed, followed by hints and tips on how to improve our sleep hygiene and routine.

In October we started to look at IBS with a brief overview of the subject. What it is, diet, lifestyle and medicines followed by further support.

Sometimes a smaller group can be more effective than a larger group. In September, Sue from Open Minds delivered a very interactive session about the positives and negatives of social media. It was interesting to see how many of us are addicted to our phones, but at the same time see it as a lifeline when you are isolated.

Cuppa and Chat

We had a few hard-core members turn up for Tai Chi and cuppa and chat. The weather was not the best, but we kept warm and cosy in the corner with a cuppa and biscuits. We shared some ideas and we have come up with a good event for the spring. So, watch this space!!

Crafts

In September, Philippa brought in lots of dried pulses and pasta for the members to make a mandala, knowing that it is only temporary, but everyone worked collectively to make a beautiful piece of art and then symbolically let it go. It’s how you let it go that counts!

We had a de-stressing craft session in October. On another rainy day, we got the adult colouring books out and took advantage of the free Costa Coffee at the Co-op. Well it would have been rude not to…

Tai Chi Open Classes

Free Tai Chi in the Park Practice Sessions

The ground is far too wet now so we will be having a break until the New Year. We have booked Petersham Hall on the last Saturdays of January and February from 10am to 11am for practice sessions. We just ask for a small contribution towards the rent that will be divided between the attendees.

For more information about the group and our open Tai Chi classes please visit:
fibroactive.co.uk.

If you are intrigued to see what the ‘panda’monium has been about, click on the links
below, or visit our Fibro 5 Challenge page on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/julesbarker71/videos/10221250147949702/

https://www.facebook.com/fibro5challenge/videos

Coming up….

November is themed as Mental Health month at the group. We have our last fundraiser of the year at the Long Eaton Christmas Lights Switch on. November 28th. We are putting up a tree at St Laurence’s Church Christmas Tree Festival that runs in conjunction. We have 19 members booked on the Christmas meal this year.

Fibro Active Autumn Group Programme

Choose Fibro Active as your local CO-OP community funding cause

Fibro Active has been nominated to be a Co-op local cause. We are asking Co-op members to choose us as their nominated cause. We will get 1% of own brand sales for the next 12 months.

Not a Co-op member? You can sign up for just £1 here.

Positive Fibro Attitude

Tai Chi for Arthritis

These are some of our Fibro Active TCA Part 2 students being put through their paces by Chris.

They have all benefited with increasing their muscle strength and improving their posture.

Symptom of the Month

In July we themed symptom of the month with sleep to coincide with Sharrie’s visit from Think Hypno, who was also looking at sleep. Both sessions explored sleep hygiene and keeping the bedroom solely for sleep. Sharrie took us through a deep relaxation and members received either a cd or mp3 copy of the relaxation to play as part of their night-time routine. Julie will continue with the sleep theme in September to complete the subject.

Emotional Support

Sue from Open Minds allowed Julie and Philippa to join her session in July. We were exploring how the group was cohesive, starting with Philippa who looked into Tuckman’s theories and connected them to how we have to leave work and then start the norming phase when we join the group. Julie reaffirmed some of the groups rules and Sue concluded by taking the group on a journey to highlight what a positive and cohesive group we are.

In August, Sue went back to basics and took us through a relaxation session. Identifying different ways to relax. The foggy mood from the whole group found us digressing away from the planned programme and we went on a strange journey.

Cuppa and Chat

The cuppa and chat sessions are great for everyone to interact. It’s also a good time to bring everyone up to date with group stuff.

We had a VIP visit at the beginning of August with the Deputy Mayor: Donna Briggs and County Councillor Alan Griffiths attending. They took part in the Tai Chi class and then sat and talked to members.

Crafts

In July Philippa came in and we made our own inspirational journals that we could put positive messages in. When we are feeling low, we can look through them and write our own thoughts in. It’s a useful way to self- support when we are feeling isolated.

For members who couldn’t make it last time, they got the chance to make a Fibro First Aid box.

In August we got all messy experimenting with pour painting. Everyone really enjoyed it as there was no thinking involved, just pure play.

It’s also great to see younger members attending too. They have been with us a few weeks now and have embraced everything the group has had to offer.

Tai Chi Open Classes

Free Tai Chi in the Park Practice Sessions

Last Saturday in the Month, 10am – 11am at the floral gardens on West Park

Events: BBQ Celebration

 On Thursday August 22^nd, we held our first BBQ celebration for group members and Open Tia Chi Students. It was a fabulous evening, we started with an hour of Tai Chi while the food was cooking. We started the warm up outside but soon found everyone was being bitten by mozzies so we retreated back in. We went through each form a couple of times and then presented Tai Chi students T-shirts and certificates. Congratulations and well done everyone! We followed the presentations with a fabulous spread and a little bit of entertainment Pandam Style

Coming up….

Fibro Active Autumn Group Programme

Positive Fibro Attitude

Volunteering

Some of you may know that my back ground is volunteer management and I am proud to present to you our first official volunteer from outside the group. Caitlin Walsh is our Volunteer Communications Officer and she has been having a fabulous time on Twitter and Instagram and keeping everyone up to date on the Fibro 5 Challenge Page. Caitlin has been getting stuck in and helping update the awareness stand and sending out promotional information and sorting the goody bags for the Fibro 5 Challenge Treasure Hunt on May 11th.

Fabulous News!  We Won !!!!!!

A big thank you to everyone who supported us at the Asda Green Token Scheme. This is a real benchmark showing that there is more awareness in the local community of the group and the condition.

Boccia

Symptom of the Month

Since January we have covered pain. It is such a large subject that it has had to be presented in bite size chunks. So far, we have looked at the different types of fibro pain, headaches, pain in the extremities, upper and lower chest pain.

Emotional Support

In March Sue from Open Minds explored confidence building and last week we looked at making decisions which can be quite tricky when you are on a bad day. We are putting together the contents of the personal group journals and fibro first aid boxes.

Crafts

Peter one of our committee members has a long-standing passion for pottery. He has made some amazing pieces but unfortunately, due to his condition he is unable to do as much as he would like, but as a one off, he treated the group to a pottery session. Peter was also able to demonstrate his knowledge for pottery and gave us a brief history as well as being very informative about types of clay and techniques. Our masterpieces as pictured will be fired later in the year.

Monthly Walks

Tai Chi Open Classes

Congratulations to our TCA Part 2 class who have attended a whole year with us after the Spring into Action event in April 2018 where we launched our Tai Chi for Arthritis class sponsored by Strictly no Falling.  They have completed parts 1 & 2 and refining the principles of both parts.

Monday Petersham Classes

The next courses start on Monday May 13th. We have limited spaces at 13.30hrs for Tai Chi for Beginner’s (yang style) and Tai Chi for Arthritis part 1 at 14.30 hrs. Cost is £5 a class, pay as you go. You do not have to have arthritis to attend; the course is based on Sun style tai chi and is beneficial to all. The courses are open to anyone.

Free Tai Chi in the Park Practice Sessions

Last Saturday in the Month, 10am – 11am at the flower gardens on West Park

Events

World Tai Chi & Qigong Day

Fibro Active and Impact Physio Tai Chi students were joined by other Tai Chi players from the local area to take part in this world event. Well done and thank you to everyone who attended. We had a great turn out and were undeterred by storm Hannah. More photos and footage can be found on the Fibro 5 Challenge page.

Fundraising and Awareness

Energise and Fibro 5 Challenge

Its just over one week away!
There is still time to book a stall

Coming up…

Please support us at the Long Eaton Community Carnival on Saturday 22nd June.

Fibromyalgia Awareness Day

May 12th is Awareness Day and I have been writing for the UK Fibromyalgia Magazine for 2 years. For this month’s edition I wanted to find out how the group had impacted on the members and below is some of the feedback I received. You can read the full article in May’s edition.

Peter reports that ‘confidence comes from being with fellow Fibromites in a friendly group. Before Fibro Active, days rolled into weeks and the only social was my family. Little contact with the outside, shopping and paying bills. This is why meetings are important for interaction.

Angela states that ‘the information I have learned at group has helped me come to terms with my new life and feel normal for the first time in a long time. The group is uplifting and I have my sense of humour and have been able to get back in touch with old work colleagues with confidence. I look forward to what I can do rather than what I have left behind and have lots of support on the days when I’m suffering and feel good that I can offer support back to others in return. I think I would be very depressed without the group and still be struggling to understand the condition.’

Carol states that ‘joining this group has made me more self-aware of what is happening to my body and mind and more importantly that it’s real. The group are all very friendly and the meetings are low cost which helps as I am no longer working and have very little income. I also like the fact that we work on a positive approach to this awful condition, finding ways that help each other as individuals and also as part of the group. I have suffered with this illness for over 20 years and thought I knew all there was to know about it but by joining the group, I have learned so much more about myself and the triggers that cause the anxiety and pain.’

Susie Qu says ‘to find a group that had the same problems as me, was a god send. To have people that understand the issues we face without judgement and the ‘oh you must be making it up’ look was such a joy. Our weekly get together sharing such a wide range of subjects making me feel ‘normal’ again. I can do other things; I can share experiences and laugh and have fun with people that have now become friends.’

Margaret, Peter’s wife has attended group as Peter’s carer for the past 2 ½ years. However, Margaret has her own conditions including agoraphobia. Margaret hasn’t left Peter’s side for over 40 years. Last month Margaret was invited by Madeline to travel to Derby (8 miles away by bus) to see the Da Vinci drawings and she left Peter for the first time in 40 years. Margaret says it’s all down to attending the group and building her confidence. How amazing is that!

Positive Fibro Attitude

Tai Chi for Arthritis

The Tai Chi for Arthritis group sessions are continuing to go well with Chris Davenport taking the main group and Jane and I can split to mixed abilities as new members attend. We have also attended another training course to allow us to offer a new form, Tai Chi for Beginner’s, yang style. This is a short 6 move course which allows our students to progress when they have completed the Tai Chi for Arthritis Part’s 1 & 2

Nutrition and Lifestyle

We are still searching for a nutritionist who can run a monthly workshop as eating healthily and understanding how our body works at a molecular level is key to managing a good part of our illness.

Symptom of the Month

In the mean time we were starting to realise that new members were being referred to us with little knowledge of their symptoms, so we have started a session called Symptom of the Month. So far, we have had an overview of the syndrome and now we will be exploring pain for a few sessions. The idea is that the information is researched from credible sources and presented to the group, who in turn discuss the subject and then the information will be blogged onto the website.

Emotional Support

Sue from Open Minds is coming in once a month to add a bit of spice to our cuppa and chat sessions. We start with a 10-minute relaxation and then have 2 short workshops either side of a break. Some areas we have covered include: anxiety and coping tools, panic attacks and we are looking at designing our personal group journals and fibro first aid boxes.

Sharrie Manno from Think Hypno has attended for a second time, focusing on reasons why we eat. Members had a 30-minute talk exploring our eating habits, followed by a 30-minute group hypnotherapy session. Each member received a relaxation disc to listen to daily.

Monthly Walks

We have been making the group walks a little more interesting by making clues for the Fibro 5 Challenge Treasure Hunt and doing a dummy run with members not familiar with the area. This has been a great way to involve the group members in the preparations.

Group AGM

Our group’s AGM was on January 15th. It was a well-attended event. We voted 3 new Committee members on board who have a variety of skills and experience to help steer the group forward. Jane’s homemade cake went down well as always!

Fibro 5 Challenge

The next Fibro 5 Challenge is a treasure hunt at the Energise, Wellbeing Event on West Park on Saturday May 11th. We are inviting all clubs, groups, services and organisations to attend and connect with the community. You could stand a stall, demonstrate skills or have mini come and try it sessions. For more details and a registration form please email: julie@fibroactive.co.uk.

Tai Chi for Arthritis with Falls Prevention Open Classes

We currently have a waiting list for our next course that will start after Easter at Petersham Community Hall on Monday afternoons.

Our next evening course will start in May 6.30pm – 7.30pm at Broad Street Spiritualist Church, Long Eaton.

Fundraising and Awareness

We currently have a waiting list for our next course that will start after Easter at Petersham Community Hall on Monday afternoons.

Our next evening course will start in May 6.30pm – 7.30pm at Broad Street Spiritualist Church, Long Eaton.

Coming up….

World Tai Chi and Qigong day is also launching our free Tai Chi in the Park practice sessions on the last Saturday of each month. The time will change slightly from this event and we will publicise this nearer the time. All Tai Chi students are welcome. There will be no tuition at the practice sessions.