Wetherby older persons charity to offer falls prevention classes to over 60s

Wetherby’s leading older persons charity has responded to growing demand for falls prevention by offering a new course of strength and balance exercise classes.

Wetherby in Support of the Elderly (WiSE) has funded dance instructor Kat Burgess’ ‘Later Life’ qualification through Active Leeds – which focuses on reducing inactivity and increasing the level of physical activity in the city. 

Kat Burgess will run WiSE’s Falls Management Exercise (FaME) classes

The new Falls Management Exercise (FaME) classes start in January and involve a mixture of chair-based and standing strength and balance exercises which can be repeated at home for people with low mobility.

Kat Burgess, who runs freestyle dance company Funky Jives, already works with WiSE, delivering its weekly Move & Groove gentle exercise classes.

Kat said: “I am extremely excited to be working with WiSE to provide FaME classes. These classes will support its participants to develop their strength and balance and also the ability to complete everyday tasks more easily.

“Each weekly class will follow a scientifically proven structure to ensure participants have the best opportunity to feel success for them. The exercises ultimately lead to participants having more confidence in their balance.

“I am looking forward to getting these classes up and running for WiSE as I know the benefits to its participants will be huge.”

Trips and falls are a significant health concern for people over 60, with around one in three adults over the age of 65 living at home experiencing at least one fall a year.

Mark Dobson, Chief Operating Officer at WiSE, said: “Fall prevention in older people is a much-needed service in Wetherby – and we are pleased to be able to work with Active Leeds on this.

“Falls and fractures in older people are often preventable. Reducing falls and fractures is important for maintaining the health, wellbeing and independence of older people. These courses not only meet our ethos to enable older people to live at home but also reduce social isolation.”

The course will run for 20 weeks on a Thursday afternoon from 15th January 2026, 1.30pm-3pm at Deepdale Community Centre, Boston Spa. There will be a pre-assessment on w/c 5th January.

After the 1 hour class, participants will have the opportunity to enjoy refreshments and a chance to chat about any home exercises they are unsure of, or just enjoy chatting with others.

The classes are free of charge but via referral only via Active Leeds referrals. To refer, phone 0113 3783680 or email health.programmes@leeds.gov.uk 

For more information about the classes, visit https://active.leeds.gov.uk/active-leeds-health/strength-and-balance-programme-%28falls-prevention%29