New support for people living with cancer in the Forfar area

Written by on 22/02/2022

ANGUSalive are delighted to announce a new, free Gentle Movement class starting at Forfar Community Campus as part of an Angus wide programme called Move More.

From Friday 4th March at 2pm, this weekly Gentle Movement class gets participants moving but also provides an opportunity for mindfulness and relaxation. The programme caters for all abilities. Anyone living with cancer or other long term health condition is welcome to attend following referral.

Working in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support, Move More offers a range of physical activity opportunities including circuit-based sessions, Gentle Movement, and walking.  Online sessions, face to face classes, and home programmes are available with the programme.

Move More ANGUSalive celebrated its official launch in November 2019. The programme had been steadily developing but, like every service, the pandemic had a significant detrimental impact. Move More Development Officer, Linda Brown, says: ‘Following suspension of the service for the first 5 months of the pandemic, we then worked hard to establish online physical activity sessions so we could continue to support people living with cancer. Referral numbers are now increasing, and we are delighted that the number of people we have supported in Angus since we launched the service has reached over 100!’.

Laura Mowbray, who first started attending Move More sessions in August 2019 said: “In September 2021 I joined a Live Well circuits class, I think the last time I participated in a fitness class like this must be over 30 years ago! Although I had been swimming regularly, I also started swimming lessons so I could achieve my aim of learning front crawl.

“I don’t think I would have had the confidence to set myself these challenges if I hadn’t taken that first step and received the ongoing support from the team who care about you and your progress and are always ready to support, encourage and challenge too!”

Taking part in physical activity both before, during and after cancer treatment can play a huge part in enabling people to take back control. It can help prevent and manage some of the effects of treatment, such as fatigue, depression, and risks to heart health. Many people say that it helps them to feel more like their old self.

Cllr Lynne Devine, Board member of ANGUSalive and MoveMore, commented, “I’m so pleased to see this opportunity opening up in Forfar for people living with cancer.  The benefits of gentle exercise are well known, and I’d urge anyone with cancer to try this out at the Campus.”

Anyone who would like to attend this class, or other Move More opportunities in Angus, can call 01307 492 059 or email movemore@angusalive.scot.

Macmillan is one of the leading charitable organisations in the UK, providing specialised health care, support and information to people affected by cancer and their families.  The charity was founded in 1911 by Douglas Macmillan with the mission to ease the suffering of families affected by cancer, and strives to continue improving the experience of those affected by the disease. For support, call Macmillan free on 0808 808 00 00 or visit macmillan.org.uk.


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