Step into Solihull

Gentle exercise activity programme

Including walking, Tai Chi, yoga, seated exercise, walking sports, dance and much more.

Produced: October 2019

Would you like to take up some gentle

exercise and meet new people?

Step into Solihull is a gentle exercise programme that includes a variety of gentle exercise classes such as Tai Chi, yoga, seated exercise, walking sports and dance as well as walks at various locations across the borough.

Solihull Striders and Strollers

Our group walks last approximately one hour, are led by qualified volunteers and are free of charge. The majority of walks take place every other week. No booking required. Tea/coffee available after for a small donation. Dates, times and locations can be found below.

Please arrive at the meeting point fifteen minutes before the walk departs and please wear appropriate footwear.

Mondays: 10.30am

Castle Bromwich library walk – Hurst Lane North, B36 0EY. Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar 7, 21 4,18 2, 16 6,20 3,17 2,16

Marston Green library walk – Meet at the library on Land Lane, B37 7DQ. Walks take place every Monday.

Tuesdays 10.30am: Balsall Common library walk – 283 Kenilworth Road, Balsall Common, CV7 7EL. Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar 8,22 5,19 3,17,31 14,28 4,18 3,17 Chelmsley Wood walk – St. Andrews Church, B37 7TR. Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar 1,15,29 12,26 10 7,21 4,18 3,17,31 Tudor Grange track walk – Tudor Grange Leisure Centre,

Blossomfield Road, B91 1NB. Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar 1,15,29 5,19 3,17 7,21 4,18 3,17,31 Bosworth Community Centre walk – Bosworth Drive, B37 5DP. Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar 8,22 5,19 3,17 14,28 11,25 10,17,31 Wednesdays 10.30am: Solihull walk – Tudor Grange Leisure Centre, B91 1NB. Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar 9,23 6,20 4,18 8,22 5,19 4,18 Thursdays 10.30am: Kingshurst walk – St. Barnabas Hall, Over Green Drive, B37 6EY. Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar 10,24 7,21 5,19 2,16,30 13,27 12, 26 Dorridge walk – St. George and St. Teresa’s Church, Station Road, Dorridge, B93 8EY. Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar 3,17,31 14,28 12 9,23 6,20 5, 19

Fridays 10.30am: Shirley library walk – Parkgate, Stratford Road, B90 3GG. Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar 11,25 8,22 6,20 3,17,31 14,28 13, 27 Hob’s Moat library walk – Ulleries Road, Solihull, B92 8EB. Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar 4,18 1,15,29 13 10,24 7,21 6,20 Saturdays: 10am Marie Curie walk – MC Hospice, Marsh Lane, B91 2PQ Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar 12,26 9,23 7,21 4,18 1,15,29 14,28 11am Elmdon Park walk – Meet at the car park on Tanhouse Farm Road, Elmdon, B92 9EY. Takes place every Saturday.

Special Interest Walks

Solihull Discovery Walks is a local walking group that weaves in a love for local history and nature.

The group offers monthly walks on the third Wednesday of every month, usually from 10am-1pm.

Upcoming walks include: 16th Oct: ‘The treasure is in Knowle’ 20th Nov: ‘A guided literary trial in Coventry’ 18th Dec: ‘A Festive Organ Recital’

Membership to the group is free, please call 01676 532 443 or email: [email protected] or if you share an interest in local history and could support the group with your knowledge then please get in touch: 0121 704 8207.

Longer Walks with the Ramblers

We’ve teamed up with two local rambling groups to offer longer walks for those who are keen to go a few extra miles! Castle Bromwich Ramblers: These walks are no more than four miles long.

Tuesday 10th September: Henley in Arden. Tuesday 12th November: Sutton Park Tuesday 10th December: Hampton in Arden

Please contact Tony or David from the Ramblers on: 0121 748 1829 or 0121 788 0650 for further information.

Solihull Ramblers:

Upcoming walks to be confirmed.

*Please be aware these walks are subject to change For more info visit: www.solihullramblers.org.uk Or contact Nick on: 0121 745 5122.

Gentle exercise sessions *Denotes term-time only

5 6

Gentle exercise sessions Tai Chi: often described as meditation in motion, Tai Chi promotes serenity through gentle, flowing movements to improve balance, coordination and posture. Hatha yoga: a branch of yoga that concentrates on both physical health and mental wellbeing using a system of full body exercises and breathing control. Chair yoga: a gentle form of yoga that is practiced sitting on a chair or standing, using a chair for support. Great for people who cannot move as well as they used to. Extend and FABS: gentle exercise to music classes that help improve balance, strength and coordination. Stepping out: gentle dance sessions for over fifties exploring a range of world dance styles and eras. No partner needed. Line dancing: anybody can do it and the steps are easy to learn. A great way to meet people and stay active. Walking football: a slow-paced version of the game aimed at getting players back involved in the sport. Sessions are available at Tudor Grange Leisure Centre and Beechcroft Sports Club. Walking netball: netball played at a slower pace to ensure that it’s fun for all and a great way to keep active in a friendly and welcoming environment. Young at heart: a social and fun, chair-based exercise session that promotes healthy and happy living. The Tuesday group: a social group for people who have survived a stroke or are living with a disability limiting their daily activities. Session includes one hour of gentle exercise. Seniors chair exercise and Qi Gong: Qi Gong exercise includes posture, movement and breathing techniques. For more information, contact Adrian Johnson on 07906 298922.

Venue contact details Beechcroft Sports Club: Beechcroft Avenue, Hall Green, Birmingham, B28 9ER. Call 07956 687546. Bentley Heath Community Centre: Widney Road, Bentley Heath, B93 9BQ. Call 07541 889866. Bosworth Community Centre: 291 Bosworth Drive, Birmingham, B37 5DP. Call 0121 7708570. The Core: Theatre Square, off Homer Road, Solihull, B91 3RG. Call 0121 704 6962. Dorridge Methodist Church: 135 Mill Lane, Bentley Heath, Solihull, B93 8NY. Elmwood Place: Smith’s Wood Village Centre, 37 Burtons Way, B36 0UG. Call 07906 298922. Meriden Park: Moorend Avenue, Chelmsley Wood, B37 5TB. North Solihull Sports Centre: Conway Road, Chelmsley Wood, B37 5LA. Call 0121 770 3822. www.everyoneactive.com/centre/north-solihull-sports-centre Tudor Grange Leisure Centre: Blossomfield Road, Solihull, B91 1NB. Call 0121 705 6371. www.everyoneactive.com/centre/tudor-grange-leisure- centre Seeds of Hope: St. Barnabas Hall, Over Green Drive, B37 6EY. Call 0121 788 3399. St Clements Church: 181 Blandford Ave, Castle Bromwich, B36 9JE. Call Jesse Callaghan 0121 354 7985 or 07927 553375.

Leisure centre activities

North Solihull Sports Centre - 0121 770 3822 Conway Road, Chelmsley Wood, B37 5LA SESSION DAY TIME COST Active seniors Monday 11.30am–12.15pm £2.90 keep fit Wednesday 11.30am–12.15pm Nifty fifties – Monday 9am–12pm table tennis, Wednesday 9am–12pm £2.85 bowls, badminton Friday 1pm–4pm £2.50, free Bowls Tuesday 10.30am–12pm tea/coffee 50+ Badminton Thursday 10am–12pm £2.50 Tai Chi Monday 8pm–9pm £2.90 Wednesday 6pm–6.45pm Yoga £4.65 Friday 6pm–7pm Water 9.15am–10am £3.65 non Friday mobility* *Members free members

Tudor Grange Leisure Centre - 0121 705 6371 Blossomfield Road, Solihull, B91 1NB SESSION DAY TIME COST Monday 12pm–2pm 50+ Wednesday 2pm–4pm £4.60 Badminton Thursday 10am–12pm Monday 10.30am–11.15am Monday 3pm–3.45pm

Water mobility Tuesday 11.30am–12.15pm £5.80 9.30am–10.15am Thursday 10.30am–11.15am Nifty fifties – Monday 1pm–1.45pm £4.55 keep fit

Other local organisations Solihull Active is working with local organisations to develop new opportunities for people in Solihull. Friends in Retirement Solihull (FIRS) FIRS offer around thirty low cost activities weekly across many community venues in Solihull. For information, call 07398 533751. www.friendsinrecreation.co.uk

University of the Third Age (U3A) U3A offers people no longer in full time employment educational, creative and leisure opportunities in a friendly environment. Call 07927 342607. www.u3a.org.uk

Heart of England Nordic Walking Dr Alison Sabine is a qualified NWUK Instructor and runs Heart of England Nordic Walking, which offers a variety of walks, classes and activities in and around the Solihull area. Call 0207 1180607. www.heartofenglandnordicwalking.co.uk

Age UK Age UK is dedicated to helping everyone make the most of later life. They provide support, companionship and advice for adults. Call 0121 704 7840. www.ageuk.org.uk/solihull

Solihull support group Gentle exercise classes that are particularly suitable for people with osteoporosis or arthritis. Anyone is welcome. Classes take place weekly during term time at Solihull Methodist Church and John Palmer Hall. Call 07856 209567.

Volunteer walk leaders wanted!

Without the commitment and dedication of our volunteer walk leaders, our popular walking programme would not exist!

Volunteering can be very rewarding and offers a great opportunity to:

Develop new skills Make new friends Give something back to your community Have lots of fun doing something you enjoy!

We are always looking for new volunteers. If you like to walk and can regularly attend sessions, you could help lead walks across the borough.

The role isn’t too demanding and training is provided.

To find out more please give us a call or email [email protected]