The free Otago Falls Prevention Programme, funded by Active Cumbria and delivered by the BEATS team at Barrow Leisure Centre, will launch a new 12-week course at St Matthews Community Halls, Highfield Road, in Barrow-in-Furness from September 18.
The Otago programme is designed to improve strength, balance and confidence in older people with the aim of reducing falls and supporting independent living.
(Image: Barrow Leisure Centre)
BEATS instructor Lauren Booth said: “We’ve seen through our existing Otago classes just how much of a difference these sessions can make.
“It isn’t simply about exercise or preventing a fall – it can be someone feeling confident enough to go for a walk again, getting out of a chair more easily, or feeling able to do more for themselves at home.
“That independence has such an important impact on a person’s quality of life.
“We want Otago to be something people across Barrow can realistically access, which is why taking the programme into different community locations is so important.”
(Image: Barrow Leisure Centre)
The BEATS team already runs two Otago programmes in Barrow and has witnessed first-hand the improvements in participants’ mobility, confidence, and ability to perform daily tasks.
By adding another location, the team hopes to reach individuals who may struggle to travel to existing venues or who feel more comfortable joining sessions closer to home.
The Otago programme is evidence-based and focuses on structured strength and balance exercises to help participants feel steadier, move with more confidence, and maintain independence for longer.
The benefits often extend beyond fall prevention, making activities such as walking, getting dressed, or leaving the house more manageable.
(Image: Barrow Leisure Centre)
One previous participant said the programme had made a real difference to their daily life.
They said: “My knees feel much stronger, and I can now do simple things like put my socks on more easily.
“I also feel more confident walking on uneven ground, which means I can enjoy walks along the beach again.
“Otago has helped me make real progress and feel more independent.”
Research carried out at Barrow Leisure Centre as part of a University of Bath dissertation found that the Otago Exercise Programme led to a 40 per cent improvement in balance and muscle power among older adults at risk of falls.
(Image: Barrow Leisure Centre)
Dr Arun Thimmiah, of Abbey Road Surgery, said: “Participants became steadier and more confident in everyday activities, supporting Otago as an effective, evidence-based programme for maintaining independence and reducing fall risk.”
The sessions are designed to be supportive and accessible, allowing participants to progress at their own pace without needing to be fit or confident before starting.
The programme is particularly suited to older adults who have concerns about balance, have experienced a fall, or who want to improve their strength and mobility.
Participants should be independently mobile, able to stand and get in and out of a chair without assistance, and able to follow instructions safely during the exercises.
The new programme at St Matthews Community Halls will run every Friday at 11am for 12 weeks, starting on September 18, and is completely free to attend.
(Image: Barrow Leisure Centre)
Anyone interested in joining can email healthandfitness@barrowleisure.co.uk to book a place or find out more.
Residents can also speak to their GP or healthcare professional about being referred through the BEATS scheme.
The expansion of the Otago programme is part of the BEATS team’s wider commitment to making preventative health and physical activity opportunities more accessible in the Barrow community.
By offering free, evidence-based support in multiple locations, the team hopes to help more people maintain the confidence and independence to continue enjoying the activities they love.