Free sessions at the gym to help people back to work

13.10.2005 A new scheme called Well Wise, run by Jobcentre Plus and funded by Transform, the Neighbourhood Management Programme, will be offering free one-hour sessions at a Fitness Centre in Ilfracombe for people on Incapacity Benefit for stress or depression.

Well Wise is a ten-week scheme running from 8 November that gives participants the chance to go through a fitness programme, tailored to their needs and abilities, which will help reduce their stress levels, boost confidence and improve their general well being. A similar scheme run in Torbay last year was a great success: most participants felt better after a few sessions at the gym, and 33% were able to get off the benefit and back to work.

Jo Walker, manager at Studio 20 in Ilfracombe where the sessions will be held, has seen at first hand how exercise can change someone’s whole life. She said, “One woman who had been on antidepressants for years told me that the exercise classes I run are her lifeline. They got her out of the house and mixing with people again, and as she became fitter she felt better and it increased her confidence. Now she’s off the pills and back at work – she’s got her life back.”

Dave Bunker at Jobcentre Plus said, “The scheme in Torbay was such a success we were very keen to give people in the Ilfracombe area a chance to benefit, so we asked Transform if they could help us get a scheme started in our area.”

Gary Smith, Neighbourhood Manager of Transform, said, “Transform is committed to trying new ways of working and if this scheme is a success we’ll do our best to make sure it continues.”

Well Wise sessions will run from 8 November on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12 – 1pm at Studio 20 on Market Street, Ilfracombe (Studio 20 will be closed to the public during these times).

How to join Well Wise
Those people who want to join the scheme need to contact Dave Bunker of Jobcentre Plus on 392115 or 395473. There are just 20 places on the scheme but if it proves successful it might be possible to increase this number and extend the scheme.