Seniors
St. John’s Church hold our older members in high esteem, appreciating the invaluable wisdom and experience they bring.
We offer a variety of enriching ministries and groups specifically tailored for seniors, ensuring there are plenty of opportunities to get involved and connect with others.
Here, you will find a warm and respectful environment where you are truly valued and loved. Our older adults are an essential part of our church community, playing a vibrant and active role in our shared journey of faith.
Centenarian Celebrates 100th Birthday at Her CBE Class at St John’s Walton
Not many people can say they've walked briskly into their second century, but for Lois Ward, staying active has been part of the secret to her long life. Our beloved Lois celebrated her 100th birthday in the first week of May in the most "Lois" way possible by walking up Mam Tor, a local 517m hill in Derbyshire, with her family alongside. Our goal at St John’s Walton Let’s Get Active Chair Based Exercise (CBE) and OTAGO classes has been to get Lois as strong as possible for her journey. She began coming to the chair-based class in 2022 when she was just 97 years young. We have been so pleased to see her progress and, when we started our OTAGO class in June 2024, Lois was the first to sign up.
We held a celebration at our CBE class with cards, gifts, cake and a big balloon. Because Lois is always helping people with their bands and making sure they’re doing the exercises correctly, we presented her with a team t-shirt emblazoned with her name on the front and St John’s Walton on the back and we’ve made her an honorary member of the team.
“Lois is an inspiration to all of us,” said CBE instructor Sue Haynes. “Not just because of her age, but because of her determination. She has a wonderful sense of humour and reminds us all that it’s never too late to take care of your body.”
OTAGO instructor Hazel Platt said, “Lois has become a role model for our groups. She is so steady on her feet now, after a bit of a wobbly start and her confidence has grown immensely. She rarely misses a session - only when she’s been gardening for too long! She is an amazing woman and we love having her at our classes.”
As for Lois, she maintains that her exercise classes are good for the body and mind – and they’re fun too.
Here are some of the things we offer...
CAMEO
CAMEO meets on the third Thursday of every month from 2pm until 4pm in the main hall. This group is a way to meet new friends over cake and a cuppa in a safe environment. Everyone is welcome and we have a programme of gentle activities, speakers and opportunities to learn something new. There is a small charge to cover refreshments.
Why not come along and see if this is for you? Bring a friend or come alone, we promise a warm and friendly welcome.
Down Memory Lane
Down Memory Lane is a social singing group which takes place every second Thursday of the month from 2pm – 4pm. Anyone with any form of dementia and their carers are welcome to come along for tea, biscuits and lots of chat, singing and laughter.
Writing for Wellbeing
The Creative Writing group meets on the first Thursday of each month from 10 till 12 noon. The group is not about improving writing skills to become a novelist… it’s simply a medium to enable communication with others whilst playing with words. It often results in a lot of reminiscence of past life experiences and sharing of thoughts and feelings.
CHARIS
CHARIS Choir currently takes the gospel message out to two local residences catering for the older generation.
Three times a year we go out to local care homes, where we enjoy singing to the residents.
There is an opportunity to join in with the singing and we love to stay for a cuppa and chat afterwards.
Let’s Get Active -CBE
We meet every Friday at 10am - 12noon.
Let’s Get Active - CBE is a Chair Based Exercise and social group aimed at enhancing physical health, mobility, strength and balance, whilst also providing an opportunity to spend time socialising with others over a hot drink.
We finish the morning with a light hearted general knowledge quiz, completed in table teams. Contact Sue Haynes on 01246 202996 or 07530 185273 if you would like to join us.
There is a small charge of £4 per session.
Let’s Get Active -OTAGO
We meet every Monday (except bank holidays) from 1.30 - 2.30pm
Let’s Get Active - OTAGO is a standing balance programme of exercise, developed in the Otago region of New Zealand, designed to help you stay strong, independent and reduce the risk of falls and fall-related injuries. The program consists of a set of strength and balance exercises, along with a walking element, so you must be able to stand for at least 30 minutes at a time and walk without an aid. Trainers or flat, supportive shoes are a must.
If you have recently had a fall, problems with dizziness or any major health issue, please check with your clinician that it is safe for you to undertake OTAGO exercises.
There is a small charge of £3 per session.
For more information contact the office or Hazel Platt on 07808 741934.
