Meet Shane

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My name is Shane Venn and I’m a Physical Activity Co-ordinator at Wokingham Borough Council.

My role in the sports and leisure team covers both fall prevention and the moving with confidence programme.

I have been working in my role for nearly six years now, coming from a personal training background. I found that I enjoy working with people with medical conditions, helping people with their mobility and general lifestyle to help prevent their conditions getting worse.

This gives me great satisfaction that I am helping people have more independence.  

How I help residents

I work closely with residents in need of some extra support to understand what they enjoy doing and what help they need to break down the barriers to allow them to do what they love. This may involve an exercise class, gym session or a home visit. 

Steady Steps is a specialist falls prevention exercise programme for people over 60 years old who have had a fall or have a fear of falling. They may not be confident going outside or are at risk of falling and this is where I can help.

Falls are the principle cause of injury that lead to hospital admissions and fatalities for the over 65’s but regular participation in physical activity can help to reduce the risk of falls and promote good bone health and this is where I come in.

I arrange for residents to join our specialist group exercise sessions which are designed to improve muscle strength, balance, flexibility, co-ordination and confidence. The range of abilities in the class may vary and we encourage everyone to work at their own level, whilst offering a safe and sociable environment for all those who come along.

I also work closely with the Link Visiting Scheme on our popular Moving with Confidence programme. I arrange for our exercise instructors to visit people in their home for four to five visits and help teach them a range of exercises.

We start with seated exercise and build up to some standing exercise to improve confidence, balance and muscle strength. We work towards taking part in one of our other programmes outside of their home if possible to help improve mobility with others in a sociable and relaxed setting.

Testimony from residents

“Thank you for the two Steady Steps Programmes I attended. I certainly enjoyed these and have gained a great deal of benefit due to the team’s clarity of instruction, patience and genuine understanding.”

“I thoroughly enjoyed Moving with Confidence visits which helped me progress to Steady Steps, the instructors where excellent and the classes helped my mobility, in particular getting out of a chair without losing my balance. Thank you to everyone who helped me along the way.”

Learn more

• Visit the Steady Steps Falls Prevention website or call (0118) 974 3728
• Visit the Moving with Confidence website or call (0118) 974 3728