AR HOLISTIC HEALTH & WELL-BEING CIC

AR Holistic Health & Wellbeing CIC provides community-based health and wellbeing support for women, with a particular focus on women aged 40 and over. The majority of women currently participating in our activities are aged 60+, making our work particularly valuable in supporting women to remain active, independent, socially connected and engaged with their health as they get older.

During the financial year, the CIC delivered a range of accessible health, fitness and wellbeing activities, including community exercise and movement sessions, Zumba, Full Spectrum Fitness classes, health and wellbeing workshops, lifestyle and nutrition education, and ongoing peer and community support.

Our approach is holistic and focuses on physical, mental and social wellbeing. Participants are encouraged to increase their physical activity, improve strength, balance and mobility, develop healthier eating and lifestyle habits, and build confidence in looking after their own wellbeing.

An important part of our work is also bringing women together. Our activities provide opportunities for participants to socialise, build friendships, encourage one another and reduce social isolation. This is particularly beneficial for our older participants, who make up a significant proportion of our community.

We aim to make health and wellbeing activities welcoming and accessible to women who may not feel comfortable accessing traditional gyms or fitness environments due to age, confidence, health concerns or financial circumstances.

Through our programmes, the community has benefited from increased opportunities to be physically active, improved health and wellbeing knowledge, greater confidence and motivation, and stronger social connections. We encourage realistic, sustainable lifestyle changes that participants can continue beyond individual programmes or classes.

AR Holistic Health & Wellbeing CIC continues to promote the importance of prevention and healthy ageing by bringing together movement, nutrition, wellbeing education and community connection.

The company’s main stakeholders are the women who participate in our health, fitness and wellbeing programmes, the majority of whom are aged 60 and over. Other stakeholders include community organisations, venues and individuals who support or work alongside our activities.

We regularly consult with participants through informal discussions before and after sessions, WhatsApp community groups, questionnaires and feedback following programmes and wellbeing activities. Participants are encouraged to share their experiences, health and wellbeing goals, the types of activities they enjoy and any barriers that may prevent them from taking part.

Feedback from participants has helped us adapt and develop our services. For example, we have introduced and varied different forms of movement and exercise to suit different abilities, including lower-impact activities, strength and toning, Zumba, stretching, balance and Tai Chi-style movement. We also combine physical activity with health and wellbeing education, including discussions around nutrition, healthy lifestyle habits and overall wellbeing.

We have responded to feedback by making sessions supportive, adaptable and accessible to different fitness levels and by providing opportunities for social connection alongside exercise. Ongoing consultation with participants continues to help shape our programmes so that our activities reflect the needs and interests of the community we serve.