Steady Steps

An exercise programme proven to help over 65s develop strength and balance, and ultimately prevent falls.

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.

*New classes Starting 20^th October 2021*

• Hugglescote Community Centre 

• Ashby leisure centre & lido x2 sessions

• Coalville Christ Church

• Measham St Laurence Church Hall

• Castle Donnington Methodist Church

Steady Steps Poster - October 2021 (PDF Document, 0.31 Mb)

How can I access steady steps classes?

It is now possible to receive support from the steady steps programme in 4 ways;

• Face-to-face – group exercise classes (subject to COVID-19)

• Virtually – accessing live and pre-recorded classes online at home

• By telephone – our team will prescribe falls prevention exercises for you to do at home and call you weekly* (subject to availability)

• By home support – our team will share exercise information and resources with you for you to do at home

To make sure that you stay up to date with our steady steps programmes, check out our Facebook and Twitter pages. 

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. 

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.co.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.