Services
Falls Assessment and Education Service
The Falls Assessment and Education Service aims to reduce the number of people falling or at risk of falling in Gloucestershire, through effective falls prevention information, education, assessment and intervention.
We have clinical specialist physiotherapists, each based in a different locality across the county. The physiotherapists provide specialist falls assessment with a focus on mobility, physical activity, balance and strength. This will take place as an outpatient appointment.
Exercise Classes
Cheltenham
Monday
Active Aqua Aerobics (8.15am-9am), Leisure at Cheltenham, Tommy Taylors Lane, GL50, 4RN Call 01242 528764
Strength and Balance (10am), Denley Hall, Church Road, Bishop’s Cleve, Call 07740 309750
Active Circuits Class (11.45am-12.30pm) Leisure at Cheltenham, Tommy Taylors Lane, GL50, 4RN Call 01242 528764
Tuesday
Active Circuits Class (8.30am-9.15am) Leisure at Cheltenham, Tommy Taylors Lane, GL50, 4RN Call 01242 528764
Fit for Life (10am) Bishops Cleve Community Building, GL52 8LR, Call 07596 969286
Strength and Balance -mixed abilities (11am), St Lukes Hall, St Luke’s Place, GL53 7HP. www.trishtenn.com
Strength and Balance -mixed abilities (12noon), St Lukes Hall, St Luke’s Place, GL53 7HP. www.trishtenn.com
Strength and Balance -mixed abilities (1.40pm), Saint Phillips and James Church Hall, Cold Pool Lane, Up Hatherley, GL51 6HX. www.trishtenn.com
Active Balance Class (2.30pm) St Mary’s Parish Centre, Charlton Kings, email: zest.forlife@yahoo.co.uk
Wednesday
Active Circuits Class (11.45am-12.30pm) Leisure at Cheltenham, Tommy Taylors Lane, GL50, 4RN Call 01242 528764
Fit for Life (10am) School house Café, St Paul’s Road, GL50 4EZ, Call 07596 969286
Fit for Life (11.45am) Emmanuel Church, Fairfield Parade, GL53 7PJ, Call 07596 969286
Supervised Gym Sessions (2pm) Leisure at Cheltenham, Tommy Taylors Lane, GL50, 4RN Call 01242 528764
Active Balance Class (2pm) Pavillion Café, New Barn Close, Prestbury, email: zest.forlife@yahoo.co.uk
Strength and Balance (2.15pm), Kings Hall, Church Place, Charlton Kings, GL53 8JN, Call 07740 309750
Aqua Zumba (7.05pm) Leisure at Cheltenham, Tommy Taylors Lane, GL50, 4RN Call 01242 528764
Thursday
Happy and Healthy Strength and Balance (9.30am) Abbey Fields Community Centre, Winchcombe, Call 07740 309750
Fit for Life (11am) St Marks Methodist Church, Gloucester Road, GL51 8PX, Call 07596 969286
Mixed ability circuits (11.30am) The Old Sorting Office, Church Approach, Bishops Cleve, GL52 8NG, Call 07740 309750
General Keep Fit class (12.30pm) Church Hall, St Marks, GL51 7AL, email: matthew.coopey@gfitness.co.uk
Strength and Balance -mixed abilities (1pm), Highbury Congregational Church Hall, 3 Priory Walk, GL52 6DU. www.trishtenn.com
Strength and Balance -mixed abilities (2pm), Highbury Congregational Church Hall, 3 Priory Walk, GL52 6DU. www.trishtenn.com
Active Balance Class (2.30pm) – online via Zoom. Visit: http://www.zestforlife.org.uk
Cotswolds
Monday
Tai Chi stances (9.30am-10.30am) Cirencester Rugby Club, call 07909 874186
Strength and Balance Class (11am-12noon) Cirencester Rugby Club, call 07909 874186
Senior Strong for over-50s (11.15am-12.15pm) Abbeyfields Community Centre, Winchcombe, GL54 5QH, call 07306 334222
Stay Strong and Steady (1pm-2pm) The British Legion, Bourton-on-the-Water, GL54 2AR. Call 07957 546067
Senior Strong for over-50s (1.15am-2.15pm) Abbeyfields Community Centre, Winchcombe, GL54 5QH, call 07306 334222
Chair Yoga (2.45pm-3.45pm) The Churn Project, Cirencester, GL7 2PY, call 01285 380038
Tuesday
Tai Chi stances (9.30am-10.30am) Fairford Community Centre, GL7 4AF, call 07909 874186
Stronger for Longer – strength & balance for older adults (10.30am-11.30am), Quenington Village Hall, call 07817 724 878
Postural stability (11am-12noon) Fairford Community Centre, GL7 4AF, call 07909 874186
Tai Chi (2pm-3pm) Freedom Leisure, Cirencester, call 01285 654057
Wednesday
Older population Circuit Class (9.30am-10.30am) Cirencester Rugby Club, call 07909 874186
Older population Circuit Class (11am-12noon) Cirencester Rugby Club, call 07909 874186
Seated exercise class for people with Parkinsons or MS (12.15pm-1pm) Stratton Village Hall, GL7 2NG, email timbird@falconhealthandfitness.co.uk
Strength and Balance Exercise Class (2pm-2.45pm) United Church, South Cerney, GL7 5UA, call 07794 614962
Strength and Balance Class (1.45pm-2.45pm) Cirencester Rugby Club, call 07909 874186
Active and Able (1.30pm-2.15pm) Freedom Leisure, Cirencester, call 01285 654057
Stronger for Longer – strength & balance for older adults (2pm-2.45pm), United Church, South Cerney, GL7 5UA, email timbird@falconhealthandfitness.co.uk
Thursday
Strength and Balance (9.30am-10.30am) Abbeyfield Community Centre, Winchcombe, GL54 5QH, call 07740 309750
Stronger for Longer – strength & balance for older adults (10am-10.45am), Cirencester Baptist Church, call 07817 724 878
Stay Strong and Steady (1pm-2pm) The British Legion, Bourton-on-the-Water, GL54 2AR. Call 07957 546067
Stronger for Longer – strength & balance for older adults (2pm-2.45pm) Stratton Village Hall, GL7 2NG, call 07817 724 878
Active Balance Class (2.30pm) – online via Zoom. Visit: http://www.zestforlife.org.uk
Gentle Social Walking (10.30am-12noon) last Thursday of the month, The Long Table, Market Place, Cirencester, GL7 2NX, email helpteam@ageukgloucestershire.org.uk
Friday
Tai Chi stances (9.30am-10.30am) Fairford Community Centre, GL7 4AF, call 07909 874186
Forest of Dean
These classes require a referral from a GP or health care professional. Call 01594 812447 or visit www.fdean.gov.uk and search ‘exercise’.
Monday
Active Balance (10.30am-11.30am) Woolaston Memorial Hall
Falls Prevention (beginner) (1pm-2pm) Corse & Staunton Village Hall
Falls Prevention (graduate) (2.30pm-3.30pm) Corse & Staunton Village Hall
Tuesday
Active Balance (11.30am-12.30pm) Broadwell Memorial Hall
Active Balance / extend (10.30am-11.30am) Blakeney Village Hall
Tai Chi (12noon-1pm) Lydney Community Centre
Active Balance (1.30pm-2.40pm) Lydney Community Centre
Wednesday
Falls Prevention (10am-11am) Hartpury Village Hall
Falls Prevention (session 1) (10am-11am) Drybrook Rugby Club
Falls Prevention (session 2) (11.30am-12.30pm) Drybrook Rugby Club
Online GOGA referral class (1pm-2pm) Online
Active Balance (1.45pm-2.45pm) Ruspidge Memorial Hall
Thursday
Active Balance (10.30am-11.30am) Latchen Room, Longhope
Friday
Gentle Tai Chi for Falls (11.15am-12.15pm) Corse & Staunton Village Hall
Falls Prevention (1pm-2pm) Newent Memorial Hall
Active Balance (2.15pm-3.15pm) Newent Memorial Hall
Gloucester
Monday
Fitness, Strength and Balance (10am), Longlevens Community Centre, GL2 0AJ, email: fitforlifegloucester@gmail.com
Fitness, Strength and Balance (10.30am), Churchdown Community Centre, email: fitforlifegloucester@gmail.com
Forever Fit – over 50s (10.45am), Elmscroft Community Centre, Coronation Grove, GL2 0SS, call 07306 334422
Forever Fit – over 50s (11.15am) Elmscroft Community Centre, Coronation Grove, GL2 0SS, call 07306 334422
Senior Strong – over 50s (1.15pm-2.15pm) Abbeydale Community Centre, Glevum Way, GL4 4BL, call 07306 334422
Forever Fit – over 50s (2.30pm) Abbeydale Community Centre, Glevum Way, GL4 4BL, call 07306 334422
Tuesday
Active Balance (9am), Online on Zoom, call 07803 345702
Fitness, Strength and Balance (9.45am), GL3 Community Hub, Churchdown, email: fitforlifegloucester@gmail.com
Fitness, Strength and Balance (11.30am), Gala Community Hub, Longford, email: fitforlifegloucester@gmail.com
Fitness, Strength and Balance (11.30am), Quedgeley Community Centre, GL2 4PJ, email: fitforlifegloucester@gmail.com
Falls Prevention and Balance (12.15pm-1.15pm) Redwell Centre, Matson, call 07872 563266
Senior Strong – over 50s (1.30pm) Highnam Community Centre, GL2 8DG, call 07306 334422
Wednesday
Fitness, Strength and Balance (10am), Hucclecote Community Centre, email: fitforlifegloucester@gmail.com
Falls Prevention and Balance (3.30pm-4.30pm) Oliver Close Residential Housing, Tuffley, call 07872 563266
Thursday
Fitness, Strength and Balance (10am), Longlevens Community Centre, GL2 0AJ, email: fitforlifegloucester@gmail.com
Seated Strength and Balance (10am) Brockworth Community Centre, email: fitforlifegloucester@gmail.com
Fitness, Strength and Balance (10.30am), Quedgeley Village Hall, GL2 4PE, email: fitforlifegloucester@gmail.com
Seated Strength and Balance (11am) Brockworth Community Centre, email: fitforlifegloucester@gmail.com
Falls Prevention and Balance (11am) Brockworth Free Church, Moorfield Road, call 07872 563266
Active Balance Plus (12.15pm) St Andrews Church Hall, Churchdown, GL3 2JT, call 07803 345702
Active Balance (2.30pm) Online via Zoom. Visit: http://www.zestforlife.org.uk
Friday
Fitness, Strength and Balance (10am), Grange Baptist Church, Tuffley, GL4 0PD, email: fitforlifegloucester@gmail.com
Fitness, Strength and Balance (10am), Churchdown Community Centre, GL3 2JH, email: fitforlifegloucester@gmail.com
Seated Strength and Balance (11.45am) Churchdown Community Centre, GL3 2JH, email: fitforlifegloucester@gmail.com
Falls Prevention and Balance (1.30pm-2.30pm) Quedgeley Community Centre, GL2 4PJ, call 07872 563266
Stroud
Classes marked (+) require a Healthy Lifestyles Referral to attend. You can self-refer here or be referred by a health care professional
Monday
Fitness, Strength and Balance (10.30am), Gloucester Rd, Stonehouse, GL10 2PB, email: fitforlifegloucester@gmail.com
+ Strength and Balance (10.30am) GL13 Community Hub, email: healthylifestyles@stroud.gov.uk
+ Tai Chi (2.30pm) Active Lifestyles, Stroud, email: healthylifestyles@stroud.gov.uk
Tuesday
+ Strength and Balance (11am and 12.30pm) Stinchcombe Village Hall: healthylifestyles@stroud.gov.uk
Wednesday
Fitness, Strength and Balance (10am), Gloucester Rd, Stonehouse, GL10 2PB, email: fitforlifegloucester@gmail.com
+ Strength and Balance (11.15am and 12.30pm) Maypole Village Hall: healthylifestyles@stroud.gov.uk
+ Tai Chi (12.30pm) Active Lifestyles, Stroud, email: healthylifestyles@stroud.gov.uk
Thursday
Active Balance Class (2.30pm) – online via Zoom. Visit: http://www.zestforlife.org.uk
+ Strength and Balance (10.30am and 11.45am) Arkell Community Centre, Nailsworth, GL6 0BG, email healthylifestyles@stroud.gov.uk
+ Strength and Balance (2pm) Chalford Sport & Social Club, email healthylifestyles@stroud.gov.uk
Friday
Fitness, Strength and Balance (11.30am), Queen’s Drive, Cashes Green, GL5 4NR, email: fitforlifegloucester@gmail.com
Tewkesbury
Tuesday
Fitness, Strength and Balance (10am), Tewkesbury Baptist Church, GL20 5DR, email: fitforlifegloucester@gmail.com
Fitness, Strength and Balance (11am), Tewkesbury Baptist Church, GL20 5DR, email: fitforlifegloucester@gmail.com
Fitness, Strength and Balance (11.45am), Bredon Village Hall, GL20 7QN, email: fitforlifegloucester@gmail.com
Wednesday
Strength and Balance (10am), Marina Court, Trafalgar Road, Call 07740 309750
Thursday
Fitness, Strength and Balance (10am), Northway Community Hub, GL20 8QG, email: fitforlifegloucester@gmail.com
Fitness, Strength and Balance (11am), Northway Community Hub, GL20 8QG, email: fitforlifegloucester@gmail.com
50+ Circuit Session (1.30pm), The Wheatpieces Community Centre, GL20 7SP, email: fitforlifegloucester@gmail.com
Active Balance Class (2.30pm) – online via Zoom. Visit: http://www.zestforlife.org.uk
Friday
Fitness, Strength and Balance (10am), Watson Hall, Barton Street, GL20 5PX, email: fitforlifegloucester@gmail.com
Vale
Monday
Choose2Move Pilates (12.15pm-1pm) Active Lifestyles Dursley, email: healthylifestyles@stroud.gov.uk
Tuesday
Choose2Move Yoga (2.30pm-3.30pm) Active Lifestyles Dursley, email: healthylifestyles@stroud.gov.uk
Wednesday
Choose2Move Yoga (11.45am-12.45pm) Active Lifestyles Dursley, email: healthylifestyles@stroud.gov.uk
Thursday
Active Balance Class (2.30pm) – online via Zoom. Visit: http://www.zestforlife.org.uk
Reducing the risk of falls
Healthy lifestyle
- Make sure you drink enough fluids (at least 6-8 mugs or glasses per day). If you are finding it difficult to get to the toilet in time, reduce the amount of drinks containing caffeine and fizzy drinks as they irritate the bladder.
- Eat a good, balanced diet.
- Ask for support to help cut down or stop drinking alcohol or smoking to reduce your risk of fractures. Contact Healthy lifestyles Gloucestershire on 0800 122 3788 or visit www.hlsglos.org.
- Keep active – aim for the recommended 30 minutes of moderate activity 5 times a week. Do some strengthening and balance exercises. Age UK Gloucestershire (01452 422660) can provide information on appropriate local exercise classes, or try your local leisure centre or see what’s on at the local hall.
- Try exercises – like these from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
- Avoid sitting for long periods. Get up and move around regularly
Get help from your GP
Speak to your GP if:
- you are having difficulties with your hearing
- you are concerned about your memory
- you have a fall
If you or the person you know is blacking out or collapsing rather than falling through a trip, slip or loss of balance please inform the GP so that appropriate medical assessments can be arranged.
Ask your GP or pharmacist to review your medication every 12 months or if you become dizzy, especially on standing. If it’s difficult to organise or remember your tablets, ask for them to arrive in a dosette box.
Making things safe at home
- Ensure your home is not cluttered – ask people to help you have a clear out if needs be, so you have clear walkways
- Make sure you wear good supportive footwear which covers your whole foot both indoors and out – avoid mules or slippery socks
- Make sure your home is well lit and warm enough. Think about a night light if appropriate
- Check any walking aids are appropriate and the rubber ferrules on the ends and / or the brakes are in good order
- Try and walk upright with good length steps
Other help you can get
- Ensure you have had an eye test within the last 12 months – if not, book one through the opticians. Some companies offer home visits.
- Look after your feet or ask someone to help – book a chiropodist if needed.
- Apply for attendance allowance if you don’t already receive benefits and are over 65, to help with any additional costs to maintain your independence. Ring 0800 731 0122 to request the forms.
- If you are worried about falling at home, ask the Adult Helpdesk (01452 426868) or Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue service (0800 180 4140) to arrange for an environmental / home hazards assessment or safe and well check.
- If daily activities around the house, or getting out, is difficult you can refer yourself via the Adult Helpdesk 01452 426868 for an occupational therapy or physiotherapy assessment
- Consider getting a pendant alarm to get help if you do fall and can’t get up – most local councils offer these for a small monthly rental cost.
How to stay Strong and Steady
Falls are not an inevitable part of growing older.
Many of us think that it’s just elderly people who are more vulnerable and likely to fall. We don’t realise that when we reach the age of 45 or 50, balance and muscle strength begins to decline – and most of us don’t even notice it! However, steps can be taken NOW to help prevent future falls and injury.
There are many things that you can do to keep yourself from falling, including exercises designed to improve muscle strength and balance.
If you or someone you care about has difficulty getting off the floor or out of a chair, feels unsafe moving around or are concerned about slips, trips or falling over, we can help. Contact: 0300 421 6241 or email us at: StrongandSteady@ghc.nhs.uk
Self-help resources
For more information about reducing the risk of falls, complete this falls risk self-assessment falls prevention and self-management tool. It has been specifically designed and created to help prevent falls, keep people steady on their feet and stay as independent as possible.
It also enables older people, their carers and family members to assess their own falls risk, and then provides tailored advice that will give them a plan to reduce their future risk of falls and fractures. This resource has been developed by NHS 24’s Scottish Centre for Telehealth and Telecare (SCTT) as part of the European SmartCare programme.
Stay active!
If you are interested in reducing your risk of falling, take a look at these helpful exercise videos and advice:
- Able Like Mable video from Active Gloucestershire Fall Proof | We Can Move
- Exercises from Royal Osteoporosis Society royal osteoporosis society uk exercise videos – Bing
- Age UK has developed the following guidance: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/exercise/falls-prevention/
Calling for help: If you are worried about how you can call for help if you do have a fall, visit: Local personal alarm system providers – Gloucestershire Telecare
