Local activities

Here are lots of ways you can get involved in activities in your local area to be more active.

Neuro Dance Exercise Class

If you live near to St Chad's Parish Centre in Far Headingley this is a low-medium impact class with seated and standing options which is suitable for people with movement disorders such Parkinson’s and MS.

Dance away inflammation and improve bone density in conditions such as Arthritis and Osteoporosis Classes are designed to help you stay active for longer, delay progression of symptoms, join a supportive community and develop new neuropathways from the mind to body.

This class will also help improve balance, coordination and flexibility. Visit their website for more information.

Choirs

To help improve your breathing before surgery why not consider joining a singing group. Singing will help you to breathe deeply as well an using all your chest and abdominal muscles reducing your risk of developing a chest infection after surgery.  There are many singing groups around Leeds:

• East Leeds at SPACE2
• So Choir! is the Leeds social choir, it meets on Wednesday evenings at The Tetley Bar and Kitchen.
• Leeds Vocal Movement for anyone aged 18-35 who wants to sing.

Woodwork

Men In Sheds is a fully equipped workshop in Morley, Leeds.  This is a place for older men who may want a space to socialise, have a cup of tea, who are new to woodwork or who want to brush up on their skills. The Shed is a workshop and social space for men over 55yearsof age where all equipment, tools, materials and tea and coffee is provided whilst you build garden planters, make Christmas decorations, signs and notice boards using reclaimed and/or recycled wood.  If you’re interested call 0300 303 3292 or check out Groundwork near me - Groundwork for more details.

Conservation and gardening

If you’re interested in conservation or gardening check out Hollybush Conservation Centre.  You might choose to join the green gym, a free gardening group and a place to get out and stretch your legs, meet new people, perhaps learn or brush up on a skill and a enjoy a brew and a biscuit.

Health & Wellbeing activities

Feel Good Factor is a Chapeltown based charity that delivers a range of health and wellbeing activities from cookery courses to chair pilates, yoga classes, women’s only zumba classes and a men’s club. See Community Wellbeing Activities - Feel Good Factor for details.

Community gardening

Hyde Park Source Is a community group that organises weekly community garden groups across Leeds.

Walking

While waiting for your operation you might like to set yourself walking challenge, you could go for a walk in a green space every day or decide that 3 times a week you’re going to walk in a new park, explore the canal or find a green space new to you.  There are also a number of local walking groups you might like to check out, then you’ll get all the benefits from walking and the also a chance to meet new people, and discover new places to walk.

To find a walking group local to you check out Walking (leeds.gov.uk) or if you’d like to find out more call 0113 3783680.

The Morley walking club lead walks for all ages and abilities, as well as organise cycle rides and adventure weekends.

Country Parks you may like to explore:

• Fryston Country Trails WF10 2RD
• Frickley Country Park WF9 2EL
• Rabbit Ings S71 4BB
• Meanwood Park LS6 4LT
• Golden Acre LS16 8BQ

Join a walk around the Killing beck Meadows, every Tuesday 10-12pm. For more information visit the Space2 website.

Tai Chi 

Tai Chi classes are available in East Leeds at SPACE 2

Chair based exercise group

Why not join a Chair based exercise group in East Leeds, run by SPACE2

Water sports

Have you ever thought about trying stand up paddle boarding, or kayaking, or perhaps you’d like to try canoeing - check out the Leeds Sailing and Activity Centre

Patients with Learning Disabilities

If you want to know what’s happening in you local area, or to find a social club, wellbeing groups, and exercise classes specifically designed for people living with a learning disability check out Through the Maze (through-the-maze.org.uk)

If you or a person you are supporting or caring for has a learning disability and would like to see what services exist to support people with learning disabilities lead a more active and social lifestyle check out Aspire Community Benefit Society.  Aspire is a social enterprise that provides care and support services to adults with a learning disability. As well as supporting people with a wide range of additional needs including physical disabilities, complex needs, sensory impairments and autistic spectrum disorders.  Aspire offer weekly online music and dance classes, song and dance classes from the musicals, line dancing, arts and crafts and opportunities to socialise.

If you would like to have a go at singing or drama why not check out Pyramid | Inclusive Arts Collective. Pyramid offers online art classes, art exhibition viewing online, morning stretch videos to get you moving first thing and singing groups.

Outside Leeds

Bradford

If you live in Bradford and would like to get involved in some outdoor sessions whilst waiting for your surgery check out  Better Start Bradford. Here you can find activities such as helping with bulb planting in the Bradford area, play sessions for grandparents and much more.

Castleford

At Fryston Country Trails in Castleford you can join the countryside park rangers on walks, wildlife spotting and can even volunteer to help with planting, mowing and caring for the meadows and woodlands.  If you’d like to get involved check out Groundwork near me - Groundwork