BUDE-based charity, Exercising for Mobility, are hoping to get even more people involved with the scheme.

Janet McCulley got the ball started in 2009 when she moved to Bude from Nottinghamshire, before the charity officially started in January 2010.

When she arrived in the town Janet, who is also a Parkinson’s Disease sufferer, was quick to ask what services there were for people who struggle with getting around in every day life. Soon realising there was none, Janet decided to do something about it.

Since being given a small grant for £5,000 by the Big Lottery Fund, the charity has grown from just a handful of members to having over 200 people on their register.

Mrs McCulley, who is the chair of trustees, was talking at the latest Bude Community Panel Network Panel meeting at the Parkhouse Centre in the town, where the charity is based.

Talking in front of councillors and members of the public, she started by explaining the charity, which offers two free hour-long social exercise classes on Mondays and Wednesdays to adults of any age who have a long-term health problem or disability.

She said: “We’re an inclusive charity which caters for people with things such as Parkinson’s, dementia and MS, but you name it we’ve got it. It’s a great social exercise place with most of the exercise being seated. It’s been recommended by local doctors and physiotherapists and people who come along.

“Our first class today from 9.30am to 10.30am had 20 people and our 11-12 class had 50 people so it shows how well we’re doing. Most members have something wrong with them but anyone can come whenever.

“We’ve been very lucky as numbers went up rapidly. We started off with a £5,000 grant from the Big Lottery Fund, which lasted for a while and then we managed to obtain an £80,000 grant from them, which lasted five years. That’s gone now but we’ve just applied for another five-year grant and that’s for £205,000. It’s free for people to use but it costs about £250 a week to run.

“We’ve also won some Volunteer Cornwall awards and we’re starting a new scheme in April called Bridge the Gap, which is mainly targeting mothers and toddlers so they can come and do some simple exercises along with our older members.”

Despite the success, many of the charity’s trustees are elderly and Mrs McCulley is hoping that people can come forward.

She added: “We need some new trustees as a lot of us are getting older. People usually come with either their partner or carer so if you know anyone can help, even if it’s to do the teas and coffees in the half an hour between the two classes, then that’d be wonderful.

The charity’s project manager, Heather Quinlan, added: “The charity is not just important for exercise, it also helps reduce isolation. For many who come along it maybe the only time they get out. Some have said that they may not see anyone from the time they leave a class to the next time they come.

“Thankfully we’ve got a driver who picks up as many people as he can but we could do with some more. I’ve spoken to people from places such as Whitstone but we can’t help them because they can’t get here and we don’t have enough services to be able to pick them up.”

Ms Quinlan then went onto discuss her role at the charity and how they’re looking to move forward.

She said: “My role is about making sure that we have the right policies and procedures and looking into future sustainability. We’ve got to develop partnerships over the next couple of months and link up and support each other.”

Once Ms Quinlan had finished talking, Launcells Parish Council chairman, Royston Symons, said: “You should consider writing to all of the parish councils to put it in their newsletters while the Community Link Officer for Launceston and Bude, Chris Sims, said: “All parish councils should promote this, it’s an excellent scheme.”

Exercise for Mobility run classes on Mondays from 9.30am to 10.30am and 11am to midday and on Wednesdays from 2pm to 3pm and 3.30pm and 4.30pm.

To find out more, contact Janet on 01288 354866.