PosAbility
Positive About Your Ability

How We Can Help You


What does PosAbility do?

We run chair-based exercise (CBE) groups for people living with long-term illnesses, including, but not limited to, Strokes, Parkinson’s, Neurological Conditions, Multiple Sclerosis and Muscular Dystrophy in Cambridgeshire. All our groups offer professional and effective programmes and 1:1 support to our clients.

We work with our clients to understand the areas of rehabilitation that concern them most to create a bespoke programme for them.

“I won’t regain my strength but the one-to-one help I have received has helped my flexibility and mobility”

What does a typical session look like?

Each session is two hours long. The first half is a group session. We use a range of exercises to improve coordination; stretch the muscles, and mobilise joints. These are designed to help clients to complete the activities of daily living more easily. We also include strengthening exercises using resistance bands.

The second half of the session gives us an opportunity to focus on individual programmes with clients. We use a variety of equipment. We have wheelchair accessible medi-motion bikes that can be used to strengthen arms or legs.

Equipment we use includes parallel bars to support clients to rise from a chair or to a walk, and free weights to increase muscle tone and strength. We also help clients’ digital dexterity using hand exercisers (such as digi-grips, mirror boxes, balls and pegs).

Will I be able to partake in social activities too?

Our volunteers offer refreshments. Staff and volunteers take the time to talk with clients. They engage our clients with quizzes and games that encourage communication, turn-taking and teamwork as well as cognitive function and recall. For some, it is the only regular activity they take part in outside their own home. It is an opportunity for all to meet people, make new friends and feel part of a community.

“I enjoy coming to this program. Always a friendly atmosphere.”

Who are our clients?

Our clients are a diverse group. They range in age from their 20s to their 90s, from all different backgrounds. Half use a wheelchair most of or all the time. The majority of clients are stroke survivors (62%) with a range of physical and communication challenges. The next biggest group are clients who have Parkinson’s Disease (13%); then MS (5%), the rest of our clients have MD, cerebral palsy, brain injury and other conditions. Many also cope with chronic pain, arthritis, sight loss and/or hearing loss as co-morbid, or age-related conditions. Some face the additional challenge of living with dementia.