Sarah Hill to give a presentation on SMILE.

Sarah Hill, Lifestyle Co-ordinator and Clinical Exercise Specialist gave a presentation on the SMILE scheme being run at local leisure facilities in RBWM. The Panel were told that SMILE had launched in 2003 as part of a three year funded project and had initially set up 16 sessions in Community Halls and Day Care Centres. It was noted that there were currently upwards of 45 classes and activities on offer a week across RBWM. Members were told that the SMILE club was formed with a committee, officers and constitution. The main objectives of the club were preservation, protection and to improve good health by promotion and support of healthy lifestyles. SMILE had become a registered charity in May 2013.

The SMILE club provided both community and leisure based exercise classes. Members were invited to try the dyno bands which were used to improve muscle resistance and strength conditioning. Activities such as Boccia, Curling, Short Tennis, Badminton, Table Tennis, short mat bowls, walking football, netball and organised walks were on offer.

The Panel were told that SMILE gym memberships were on offer at a discounted rate and that this had been provided through a partnership with Legacy Leisure. Gym Memberships and classes were available for free to those individuals who were over the age of 90. Membership included, supervised gym exercise, tailored programmes and induction, swimming and some exercise classes within the studio time table. Benefits of the SMILE scheme included a reduction in feelings of loneliness and isolation and helped encourage individuals to socialise in the community more. The scheme had also seen a great reduction in the risk of falls due to strengthened balance and coordination.

It was also highlighted that there had been improved physical fitness, improved functioning (such as gait improvement  and to posture), improved confidence to carry out day to day activities, reduced risk of osteoporosis and improved cognitive functioning. In addition to these benefits it was also noted that there had been a reduced rate or impending diseases associated with older persons and that the pace of mental declination was reduced . Members were told that the benefits of the SMILE club which promoted physical exercise would be beneficial in reducing the increasing demand on primary and secondary health care, associated adult social health care costs, equipment and prescribing budgets. This in turn would enable and empower individuals to remain in their homes for longer whilst negating isolation/loneliness and would also encourage reaching government guidelines of 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week.

Members of the Windsor and Maidenhead SMILE Club were in attendance and gave brief speeches on the way in which SMILE had positively impacted their lives. The Panel heard that the club offered a service that mitigated loneliness and isolation and that the club had also organised outings such as Christmas parties, trips and walks. They had also worked together to create a newsletter and highlight the good work that they had carried out over the year. It was also highlighted that classes were inexpensive and that there were varied levels of ability classes on offer. The club offered support and helped build friendships to those who had been isolated or had lost confidence due to restricted mobility.

At the conclusion of the presentation, Members were invited to ask questions which included:

·         Councillor Luxton asked whether there was any nutritional support or a post dedicated to education of healthy eating and lifestyle. It was noted that several sessions had been organised in the past to highlight the importance of diet and that there was a cooking demonstration being held on the 9^th September 2019. The focus was on physical activity and that the introduction of a dedicated nutritionist may be perceived as more clinical as opposed to a social activity.

At the conclusion of the item, Members thanks the SMILE club Members and Sarah Hill for the good work and noted that this was an essential organisation which helped the lives of many and commended the work being carried out.