Residents at Cherry Trees share their experience of Be Active

At Cherry Trees in Redcar, residents are showing that wellness is not just about a healthy diet or a good night's sleep. It's about finding strength, building community, and showing the impact movement can have on daily life.

Over the past year, Be Active has been incorporated into many of the residents’ daily lives. They’ve taken part in sessions ranging from strength-based cardio to peaceful Tai Chi. We spoke with two residents, Sue Mitchell and Maureen Russell, who share the impact Be Active has had on them and their community.

Regaining confidence and strength

For Sue Mitchell, 73, the Be Active classes, especially those led by Fitness Instructor Carl Davis, have been a lifeline. After feeling less confident about going to the gym, she found a new way to stay active from the convenience of her own home. She’s been attending classes for the past 12 months and found that the classes are "a good start to the day," helping her feel stronger and more active.

Finding a sense of community through Be Active 

Maureen Russell is a regular attendee at all our Be Active sessions, and through them, she has seen an increase in her energy levels and lift in her mood. Maureen needed to find new exercise classes, and she had another important reason why she wanted to keep active.

Maureen lives with Inclusion Body Myositis, a rare muscle-wasting condition for which there is no treatment or cure. She said: “The only thing I can do is exercise in an attempt to maintain some mobility. I can't beat this thing but I'm not going down without a fight.” 

For Maureen, the programme is about more than just managing her condition, it’s about the connections she builds along the way. She loves being in her neighbours’ company, and the sessions have created a space for them to chat and get to know each other better.

It's good fun, we have a laugh, and it does make us feel better.

The supportive atmosphere and the focus on doing what you can without pressure has provided Maureen with the extra motivation to continue with her Be Active classes. As Maureen puts it, “You only do what you can, there's no pressure and we stop if we need a rest.”

She believes we all have a responsibility to do our part to stay well.

I think we have a duty to do our share to keep mentally and physically well. It also gives us some feeling of control, even if limited.

Sue and Maureen’s testaments show that physical activity and mental wellbeing go hand in hand and the positive impact Be Active is having on the lives of residents at Cherry Trees.

Find out more about our Be Well services here.