Wellbeing at the Windmill (Updated)

We are are requesting £10805 to deliver two free weekly sessions for local residents aged 50+. Sessions will improve mental health together with having wider benefits of creating community connections, improving balance and fitness. The funding will allow us to continue with our Wednesday Tai Chi class in 2026 plus will introduce a new choir session giving a full morning package of wellbeing activities for local residents. A termly healthy lunch will also bring our participants together socially through sharing seasonal food. 

Which group(s) or communities is your project intended to support?

Our sessions will support local residents aged 50+ with health conditions, particularly those feeling isolated. We will target residents on low incomes and those with disabilities and long term health conditions from our local diverse communities. Our current activities include our weekly Community Club for people aged 60+ together with Pilates and Tai Chi sessions. Feedback from current sessions demonstrates the need to both continue to fund the Tai Chi session and to introduce a new activity to further benefit our community. Since 2020 our centre has become embedded as a local hub and has a reputation for welcoming in older residents from all our local communities. We also have links with other local networks and GP surgeries enabling us to promote our sessions to those with long term health conditions. 

Wellbeing at the Windmill (updated project submission 20 Oct)

What difference will it make?

Our Tai Chi and Choir sessions will improve mental health and wellbeing. Our Tai Chi session is currently funded until December 2025 and has been running for over 2 years. By offering it free of charge we are fully inclusive and feedback demonstrates the important benefits it gives:

“Yes! Peace of mind. Increase in joint mobility”

“Positive mental attitude. Less joint pain. Healthier in general”

“Concentration. Balance. Sense of wellbeing”.

We ask our participants about what other activities they would like to do at the centre. “Joining a choir” has been mentioned many times and this project will allow us to set up a new weekly Windmill Voices session. Singing is known to have a range of benefits including improving breathing, posture and muscle tension. Singing has also been shown to increase feelings of happiness and wellbeing and in increasing social bonds. By attending weekly choir sessions our participants will create new networks together with leaving the sessions feeling happier and healthier.

 How will this funding help your community?

We will continue to offer a free weekly Tai Chi class for local residents aged 50+, something we know improves mental health and wellbeing. We will also introduce a new activity for older residents to try, bringing people together through song. Both sessions will include social time with refreshments creating more opportunities for new friendships and connections for people who are sometimes isolated at home. We will also offer a termly healthy lunch for participants.

●      Why do you think your project will be a success?

As an organisation embedded in our local community we know we can reach our target audiences. We also know there is a demand for both sessions we will offer and are confident they will be well attended and will improve the mental health and wellbeing of participants. Our ongoing evaluation will record feedback from participants enabling us to continually monitor sessions and experiences ensuring they are suitable for everyone.

Wellbeing at the Windmill (updated project submission 20 Oct)