while some people give their time to a local charity or help out with the junior soccer, league or swimming teams - local woman, Rosemary Basham, has instead decided to devote her time to the elderly and those unsteady on their feet.
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Every Monday and Friday at the Hennessy Gym in Demondrille Street, Rosemary voluntarily teaches Tai Chi build strength, wellbeing and decreases people’s risk of falling.
All Rosemary asks for in return is a gold coin donation to cover the running costs of the class, which allows pensioners to attend regularly.
The classes have now been running in Young for quite some time and are part of the Falls Prevention program delivered by some wonderful volunteers across the Murrumbidgee Local Health Network to improve people’s physical, mental and social wellbeing.
Leader, Rosemary, has had over five years’ experience running Tai Chi classes in Young and participated in local classes for many years before this.
She has been trained by NSW Health and has regularly attended update training to make sure that the program they run is current and has the most beneficial outcomes for their participants.
She has also attended other training that she has privately arranged to be as up-skilled as she can be.
Rosemary loves what she does and willingly volunteers her time to support other people to have improved balance, flexibility, strength and fitness.
Rosemary has a great belief in Tai Chi for what it can offer both physically and mentally.
“Tai is such a great form of exercise once you get into it and learn the moves,” Rosemary said.
“It really has been shown to improve your balance and flexibility and overall strength as well as being extremely calming,” she said.
“Your stress will disappear while doing the moves and it is very relaxing,” Rosemary added.
Local health promotion officer, Barb Manwaring, provides the administrative support for the program across six local government areas.
Barb has nothing but praise for the selfless volunteers who give up their time to support others in their community to become stronger and more flexible as they age.
“Volunteers are truly wonderful people who give up their time to help others in what has become such a time poor society,” Barb said.
“So many of the fitness programs that run are very costly, especially for people on pensions who struggle on a weekly basis to pay rent and buy their groceries,” she said.
“Paying $10-$12 dollars to attend exercise classes once or twice a week is just something they cannot afford - by having people like Rosemary volunteer it means that people can access preventative programs such as Tai Chi as it is affordable.”
Why not kick off 2013 by getting fitter and less likely to have a fall by attending your local Tai Chi classes.
Classes run on Mondays from 2.30pm-3.30pm and Fridays 9.30am-10.30am at Hennessey Gym.
Contact Rosemary Basham on 0428 821 578.
Classes have already commenced for 2013.
