UP CLOSE: Belong Macclesfield Exercise Specialists Andre Kwiatkowski and Scott Benson
Macclesfield Nub News was founded on principles of supporting our community.
This includes promoting Macclesfield shops, companies, charities, clubs and other organisations. Now and then, we profile some of these companies and organisations in a regular feature called UP CLOSE, finding out they key people behind the organisation and what makes them tick.
Recent editions include the family behind a Macclesfield business turning five this year, a burgeoning bridal make-up business, a shop which recently celebrated their 60th birthday, and the Headteacher of a high-achieving rural Macclesfield school.
Today, we head to Belong Macclesfield, where we also recently profiled their Belong at Home leader.
Belong is a care village in Upton Priory, Macclesfield, with a specialism in dementia care.
The Kennedy Avenue site boasts six 'households', each home for up to a dozen residents, who enjoy 24-hour support, including nursing care where needed.
There are also 18 self-contained independent living apartments, and the community home care service, Belong at Home operates from the site.
The village has an entertainment venue, relaxing dementia-friendly garden, and a bistro and salon (both open to the public) – all of which create a mini community for people to live, and for staff to work in.
Customers also benefit from a state-of-the-art exercise studio, and two in-house exercise specialists who are dedicated to supporting the fitness and wellbeing of their clients.
This includes promoting an active lifestyle, helping to mitigate any health issues and where needed, assisting with rehabilitation.
Everyone who uses the service gets a robust assessment which is used to build a tailored exercise programme, with recommendations to maximise the benefits of exercise.
Macclesfield Nub News went to meet Belong Macclesfield's exercise specialists Andre Kwiatkowski (full-time) and Scott Benson (part-time) inside the Belong gymnasium, to chat about their roles.
"Belong makes it a goal that every resident has a personalised exercise programme that will help them maintain their mobility and independence, as well as a general sense of wellbeing," said Andre who is celebrating his fifth year at Belong this year.
"This means we spend time with all Belong's customers as they move in and get to know their abilities and goals so that we can create individual plans that meet their needs.
"This also involves liaising with GPs and other health professionals to ensure that we are taking into account all relevant health factors.
"Once we have this picture, we are able to recommend exercise that meets their needs, while also being enjoyable.
"We are fortunate that Belong gyms are equipped with a range of specialist aerobic and resistance equipment that is specially adapted for older people and harnesses the latest technology to make exercise more engaging,
"We have SilverFit, which is a virtual rehabilitation software designed by physiotherapists and tailored to older people with complex needs.
"The client stands (or sits) in front of a screen connected to a camera which detects them and is designed to rehabilitate that person's coordination, speed, and reaction time using gaming technology. It's very popular."
"We have free weights, balls and balance balls. We are big on fall prevention and to reduce falls within the village."
"Clients also have access to free weights, balls and balance balls, meaning we can use a mix of resources depending on what is suitable, and all exercise sessions in the gym take place on a one-to-one basis with an exercise specialist, so we know the equipment is being used correctly and safely."
Scott adds: "We are big on falls prevention and so we've created a culture of falls awareness within the village."
"All the NHS data shows that as people get older, the risk of falls increases and so our aim is to mitigate this by increasing bone density and balance."
"It can be a bit of a challenge for clients – but a worthy one." Andre says. "Our aim is to keep customers mobile, keep them strong and help them to make progress. The stronger clients are, the less likely they are to have falls and that can only be a good thing.
"We offer our services, both physical and social wellbeing, to anyone who is up for it. And it's not just one-to-ones, we do group sessions twice a week in The Venue [a social hangout at Belong Macclesfield] – we had 19 attendees at our last session.
Working with people living with dementia adds another dimension to the job for the seasoned exercise specialists.
"I was encouraging a resident to do some general exercises but unfortunately, because of his advanced dementia, communication wasn't easy," recalled Scott.
"After I spoke to his family, they told me they he was once a very good tennis player. So, we gave him a racket and balloon, and straightaway it was like he was playing like he used to.
"This meant we were able to do a lot more work with his range of movement.
"It was a very rewarding moment, as was when the family saw what he was achieving."
Andre adds: "Seeing clients on their journey and being with them, helping them in any way we can is the reward; knowing that you are making a difference, and their family appreciate that we do is very rewarding as well.
"You get to know the residents, who they are, their life history and their preferences, and then combine this with flexibility and adapt how you work with them."
A recent testimonial for Andre and Scott's services read: "Mum broke her hip in October, since then, the staff have put a care plan of emotional and physical reassurance for both mum and me. Her hip operation was cancelled due to complexity, so mum had to manage with a raised shoe. Through the care of the staff, mum is beginning to walk with the aid of a walking frame.
"The fitness training support from Belong Macclesfield, two times a week, is most welcome in helping her progress."
In other good news, Belong's gym is set to welcome new Thera bikes from THERA-trainer. Regardless of ability, this equipment enables users to safely lengthen and shorten muscles, safeguarding the integrity of the connective tissues.
It offers significant benefits for cardiovascular and pulmonary health and enhances strength and endurance. Customers can take advantage of this equipment whether they are in a wheelchair or possess varying degrees of leg control or strength."
Turning to what makes Belong Macclesfield a great place to be, Andre says: "When I started here, Belong understood that I had other commitments around Macclesfield.
"When I complete my work here for the day, I go across to a private gym and train members of the public.
"Belong is a great employer because we all look after each other, whether that is the residents or colleagues, there's support if we need it.
Scott says: "I work here every Monday and Thursday. I saw the job advertised last year and it really intrigued me.
"As a personal trainer, it is great to work with people where you are having a real impact on their lives.
"It's brilliant when a resident feels that their fitness is improving, and that benefits their family as well as them, and you can see that.
"Whether it is helping them get up out of a chair when their family is there or seeing that holistic effect, it is nice to see how they improve.
"What's more, you don't feel alone when you work here, I am never afraid to ask for advice."
Macclesfield: You can find more about Belong on their website.
The gym at Belong Macclesfield - and all their villages - also boast a dedicated webpage.
You can also follow Belong Macclesfield on Facebook.
They are also currently hiring for staff.
Belong Macclesfield is found at Kennedy Avenue, Upton Priory, Macclesfield SK10 3DE.
Belong Macclesfield are a sponsor of Macclesfield Nub News.
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