Every week, children from the Blackpool Victoria Hospital Children’s Unit assemble in the ward’s play area to take part in a free and fun yoga session, run by the AFC Fylde Community Foundation.
The 30-40 minute session is headed up by Anthony Stayte, the foundation’s health and wellbeing officer, and is targeted at children aged 3 to 13.
Anthony encourages the children to use their imaginations as he takes them through a gentle yoga session, engaging their minds as well as their bodies.
With parents and nursing staff joining in, the sessions offer a bonding experience as well as a chance to distract patients and their loved ones from their day-to-day worries.
Tom Hutton, director of community development at the AFC Fylde Community Foundation, said: “We are so proud to deliver these sessions at the children’s ward, to give the patients something to look forward to on what may be a long day, week or month.
“We’ve had some incredible feedback from the hospital, its patients and their families. The children have a lot of fun and some have told us it helps them to relax too – while parents and hospital staff enjoy the chance to spend time together and see a smile on the children’s faces.
“These sessions are just one example of how we help young people across the Fylde Coast to enrich their lives through physical activity and wellbeing exercises.”
To organise a free yoga taster session in your school, nursery, workplace or other location, please contact health and wellbeing officer, Anthony Stayte at [email protected].
For more information on how to get involved with the AFC Community Foundation please visit www.afcfyldefoundation.co.uk, follow on Twitter @afcfct or call Tom Hutton on 07739 796 101.