Pennine Mencap is ready to shake up your Mondays

Mondays have a bad reputation. That’s something that Pennine Mencap is combating with their wellness initiatives, aiming to make Mondays matter – and start the week with a bang.

Pennine Mencap is a local charity that supports and provides opportunities for adults with learning disabilities and complex needs in the community.

Time after time, they have seen how mainstream exercise options and spaces often aren't accessible for people with additional needs, leading to a considerable gap in opportunities. One that they work to tackle. 

With an 11:00am start, service users can get started with a dance-based fitness class, dancercise, a lively activity in Pennine Mencap’s Studio in Rhodes Bank Chambers in 184-188 Union Street, Oldham.              

With the sound system up and party lights on, the session is designed to get the body moving in a fun way.  

Whether it's playing some cheesy classics or the current biggest songs, there is always themed music to pair with the choreography.  

Keeping these sessions accessible is a vital part of running fitness-based activities; everything is adaptable, allowing freedom of movement in a welcoming environment, which is something many people with additional needs haven’t had access to previously. 

Keeping fit and feeling the benefits of staying active is a crucial part of maintaining wellness that everyone should experience.  

Often, gyms and similar spaces are overwhelming and daunting for those with learning disabilities; that’s why this session encourages anyone to partake regardless of individual differences.  

The sessions cost £3 with an optional £2 lunch; nutritious fuel for an active day is always a part of the schedule.  

Following a well-earned break, the Walk or Wheel group (WOW group) sets off at 1pm. This is a session all about exploring spaces; these ventures can be around the charity’s HQ and appreciate the areas that are just on their doorstep.  

However, the group also makes use of public transport and travels further afield to places such as Town Halls, local museums (pictured below) and galleries such as the Lowry.  

Being able to explore more community space is beneficial for everyone. Individuals can walk, wheel, or use any physical aid in their journey with the group.  Keeping routes as accessible as possible is a top priority when planning these sessions. 

“WOW group is my favourite; I love seeing new things,” says Daniel, a regular service user who thrives in the group's exploration of nature and loves to document. 

Unpredictable weather can be a concern for some individuals when planning a walking-based component of their day; to combat this, the charity has a purpose-built gym as part of its building.  

With refurbishments due to be completed later this year, there will be even more opportunities to be involved with feel-good exercise that will leave lasting benefits all around.  

The gym’s makeover couldn’t have been done without the contributions from the National Lottery Awards for All, as well as the Sport England Movement Fund.  

These organisations have assisted greatly in the reshaping of the top floor to allow for a modern gym with equipment/apparatus that provides comprehensive experiences in wellness regardless of physical ability/capacity.  

The charity looks forward to reopening the modern top floor, with plenty of Mondays scheduled in for refreshing gym sessions. 

If you or someone you know has an interest in attending Pennine Mencap’s Monday sessions, please contact Rebecca.gittings@penninemencap.org