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Work, Volunteering and Hobbies

Employment

Voluntary work

Volunteering can be a good way to take part in work-type activities without the strict expectations that paid work usually involves. Helping others and doing something productive can be a good way to boost your confidence and get you into a working routine.

Cycling

At Walkergate Park we have access to a static exercise bike, moto-med trainers, a recumbent bike, adapted bicycles and standard bicycles.

Drive North East Mobility (around the back of the centre) have a traffic free track, and if we identify cycling as one of your therapy goals we may be able to access these facilities.

Here are some local groups/ centres that may be able to support you with your return to cycling:

British Cycling runs para-cycling programmes around the country. Riders of any level are encouraged to attend these sessions.

York Sports Centre has an enclosed 1km track, loans out adapted bikes and runs inclusive sessions. They also provide one to one tuition.

Social Prescribing

Social prescribing is a key component of Universal Personalised Care. It is an approach that connects people to activities, groups, and services in their community to meet the practical, social and emotional needs that affect their health and wellbeing.

In social prescribing, local agencies such as local charities, social care and health services refer people to a social prescribing link worker. Social prescribing link workers give people time, focusing on ‘what matters to me?’ to co-produce a simple personalised care and support plan, and support people to take control of their health and wellbeing.

Social prescribing link workers also support existing community groups to be accessible and sustainable, and help people to start new groups, working collaboratively with all local partners.

You can be referred to a local link worker by your GP, or ask your health care professional to refer you. More information about social prescribing can be found on the NHS England website.

MS Research and Relief Fund (MSRRF)

This is a charity organisation located in the northeast and provides crucial support for individuals affected by Multiple Sclerosis and their primary caregiver.

They offer a wide range of free exercise classes, physiotherapy and complementary therapies which are all expertly designed to ease the symptoms of MS and increase fitness and mobility. MSRRF have sites in Morpeth and North Seaton, Ashington. They also provide some services into Walkergate Park on a Tuesday.

The Pashler Physiotherapy Centre in North Seaton is one of only a handful of places in the UK to have an AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill which many of our service users are finding beneficial to work on their walking ability.

More information can be found on the MS Research and Relief Fund website.

Sports

We understand that returning to exercise can be challenging for those with a neurological condition. Access to local facilities can also be difficult if you use a wheelchair or have physical, visual and/ or cognitive limitations. It is well known that exercise has physical, emotional, and social benefits and can form a major part of your rehabilitation journey.

Below are some associations/ groups that we have worked with. If attendance is a goal identified in your assessment and treatment programme, we would be happy to attend a session with you and set you up with a programme to self-manage.