A BASINGSTOKE business which survived through the pandemic is now offering an additional exercise class for those with Parkinson’s

Stepping Stones Health and Wellbeing, a local independent business in Basingstoke, thrives as it now offers an additional exercise class to those with Parkinson’s.

Stephanie Wallis,40, from Basingstoke, started Stepping Stones Health and Wellbeing during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Almost two years later and after many ups and downs, the business managed to survive and now due to popular demand, Stephanie has expanded the number of classes on offer.

On Monday, August 15, she will run her first class at Lychpit Community Hall.

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She said: “The main struggle I faced during Covid was that people were obviously scared to come out and interact face to face for my classes, so I had to switch to Zoom which was a challenge but I would say at the beginning of this year is where business began to pick up again.

“People who have different conditions, such as Parkinson’s, don’t only need exercise but also social interaction and the benefits of exercise in general are not only just physical but also it benefits your mental wellbeing, which has been hit the most from Covid. It can help improve your strength, balance, overall fitness and your quality of life.

“The classes I run focus on these key aspects, as well as cognitive exercises to get the brain working, dual movements and hand and facial exercises to try and combat the symptoms of Parkinson’s.

“I have worked in this field for quite a while now and I love being able to see the positive effects that exercise can have on people. I just love helping people, it is extremely rewarding.”

The businesses also offers exercises classes to help support those who have breast cancer, prostate cancer, limited mobility, arthritis, depression and many other medical conditions.

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Gary Shaughnessy, the chair of the board of trustees at Parkinson’s UK, said: "It’s great to see Stepping Stones Health and Wellbeing making it easier for people with Parkinson’s to exercise and to do so with an expert tutor and along with other people in a similar situation.

"Exercise is good for physical and mental wellbeing and that’s particularly important in Parkinson’s where nothing else is yet proven to slow the condition down. By getting together people with Parkinson’s in this way , we’re seeing more and more people fighting this relentless condition."

For those who want to attend the first class completely free and then it is £6 per class.

For more information go to steppingstoneshw.co.uk.