Members of the ‘Class Diamonds’ initiative that was run in Ballantrae have each received a certificate from the Convener of South Ayrshire Council’s Community Safety Committee, Councillor Douglas Campbell, to mark their achievement.

The ‘Class Diamonds’ initiative was launched in September 2002, to encourage people approaching, or in retirement to remain active in their homes and in the community.

The classes, which are free, have been held in locations all over South Ayrshire, and have proved very popular. Several groups of people who attended classes enjoyed them so much that they have now formed their own clubs, in order that they can keep meeting every week and continue with the activities.

After presenting the certificates to class members at their graduation ceremony, Councillor Douglas Campbell said: “I really enjoyed presenting certificates to the 21 men and women who completed the 12 week course.

“The classes provide an opportunity for people to meet in a safe environment, learn how they can maintain and improve their physical and mental well-being and make new friends. The fact that nearly everyone completed the course shows how popular it was.

“I would like to thank everyone who took part in the class, the guest speakers, and the staff from various agencies who together made the classes so enjoyable.”

‘Class Diamonds’ is a health and activity programme for people over 65 years of age which aims to encourage all participants to adopt the attitude ‘Be The Best You Can Be. The South Ayrshire Community Safety Partnership, who receives funding from the Scottish Government, funds ‘Class Diamonds’ classes.

The community based healthy lifestyle project encourages physical activity in people over 65 years of age who live in South Ayrshire, and who remain independent in their homes. The major aims of the classes are:

• To raise awareness of home and personal safety
• To promote positive changes in lifestyles
• To increase the number of people over the age of 65 who take part in physical activity
• To reduce the risk of falls and accidents in the home

The courses are organised by a Public Health Co-ordinator in partnership with the Health and Fitness Team in Sports Development, Primary Care Health Professionals, Strathclyde Police, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service, Council staff and other agencies.

Each of the ‘Class Diamonds’ courses lasts for 12 weeks, with a two hour session every week, where guest speakers visit the group and deliver talks on a wide variety of health and safety topics and information on where to go for help including:

• What to do if you have a fall and reducing the risks of falling
• Services that can help
• Healthy feet
• Healthy eating
• Taking medication safely
• Healthy eyes
• Healthy teeth and mouth
• Memory hints
• Health issues
• Fire safety
• Bogus callers and personal safety
• Keeping safe at home
• Benefits and allowances
• Care and Repair scheme and the Befriending Scheme

The first hour of the class takes the form of specially designed progressive exercises with a Tai Chi element that can be done either sitting or standing. The choice of physical activities is very wide to encourage everyone to work together as a team and enjoy themselves whether it is skittles, new age curling, bowling, badminton, short tennis, putting golf, hockey around cones, or beanbag and hoop games.

Councillor Douglas Campbell and the course facilitators join in the celebrations at Ballantrae as members of Class Diamonds proudly display their certificates.

July 2005