Meet Bob: bringing energy and movement to Zest at St Edith’s Court

For Bob, a Care Assistant at St Edith’s Court, Zest is much more than an exercise session. It’s a chance to bring music, movement and a bit of energy to the people he supports.

Bringing Zest to life at St Edith’s Court

One of the things I love most about my job is delivering Zest sessions for the residents at St Edith’s Court.

I’ve worked at St Edith’s Court as a care assistant for more than nine years. I was one of the first people at the home to train in Zest and then went on to complete Zest Bootcamp. Since then, I’ve continued to plan and deliver regular Zest sessions for residents.

We have Zest twice a week in the dining room, with usually between 10 and 20 residents joining each session. It’s become a regular part of life at St Edith’s Court, and the residents are always keen to get involved.

Bringing my passion for dance

I’m also a dance teacher, so Zest gives me the opportunity to bring something I’m passionate about into my work.

I start each session with a warm-up before moving into some higher-intensity exercise. The music changes with the intensity of the session, and we finish with a gentle cool-down, often accompanied by some beautiful classical music.

For me, it’s important to encourage residents and help them feel motivated to join in.

I feel so happy when I’m delivering a session, and it’s lovely to see that the residents feel the same way. We all feel good after it. It’s my favourite part of the job. 

Getting active together

What I really enjoy is seeing residents encouraging each other and enjoying the sessions together.

One resident told me:

It’s lovely to get together for exercise. The music really makes it. We all do the moves and sing together.

Another resident said:

We have a great time. He does wear us out, but we would not be without Bob and Zest. We love coming here.

That makes me smile because I know I’ve worked them hard, but they still want to come back each week.

For some residents, Zest is simply a good opportunity to stay active and feel the benefits of exercise. I get feedback from residents that they find my sessions worthwhile and it increases their appetite, and another resident makes sure to attend every session because they’re noticing the benefits of exercise.

It’s also great to hear residents talk about how they feel afterwards. One resident said:

I think it does make us stronger and keeps us going.

Another told me:

Exercise is very good for us. I feel brighter after. I try to come along as I know it is good for me.

More than just exercise

For me, Zest is about more than keeping active. It’s about music, having fun, spending time together and encouraging people to do something that makes them feel good.

I’m also not the only person delivering Zest at St Edith’s Court. My colleague Stephen runs regular sessions too, including Zest Bootcamp, so residents have plenty of opportunities to get involved and a variety of sessions to look forward to.

I feel lucky that I can bring my passion for dance and exercise into my role at St Edith’s Court.

Seeing residents leave a session smiling and knowing they’ve enjoyed themselves is a great feeling. And that’s why Zest is my favourite part of the job.

Zest is our physical activity programme available across Anchor care homes. It’s designed to be suitable for all needs and abilities, and sessions feature a mix of active routines, dance moves, mobility work, and gentle moving and stretching. 

Learn more about Zest and Anchor’s approach to wellness and activity here.

Bob is a Care Assistant at St Edith’s Court Care Home