BACPR News Item – November 2014

British Association for Cardiovascular Prevention & Rehabilitation [BACPR]

www.bacpr.com  

Lita  Freegard  and  Heart  &  Soul  Rehabilitation,  Essex    -­‐    Annual  Rochford  &  Castle  Point  Sports  Awards  Winners  2014  

 Lita  Freegard  has  been  working  with  Cardiac  Rehabilitation  clients  for  nearly  15  years.  She  found  passing  the  BACPR  course  a  challenge  but  when  working  with  the  clients,  she  could  see  that  this  was  such  a  worthwhile  course  for  her  career  and  such  lovely  people  to  work  with!      

Just  over  2  years  ago,  Lita  decided  it  was  time  to  go  freelance  and  teach  these  classes  in  the  community;  she  booked  the  halls  and  the  clients  followed.  A  colleague  Shelley  Gleadall,  also  joined  her.  

   Lita  and  Shelley  currently  teach  three  Cardiac  Rehabilitation  classes  a  week  with  two  more  opening  in  January  2015  (also  teaching  COPD  Rehabilitation  /  Chair  Active  &  Balance  Rehabilitation  /  &  Pilates  &  Low  Back  Pain  Rehabilitation).  She  just  loves  seeing  clients  getting  back  their  confidence  and  physical  fitness.  Everyone  has  a  great  time  and  these  CR  Classes  are  the  highlight  of  the  week!  Alongside  the  physical  fitness  that  the  clients  gain  from  their  sessions,  you  can  see  their  old  personalities  returning.        

Heart  &  Soul  Rehabilitation  was  nominated  for  The  Annual  Rochford  &  Castle  Point  Sports  Awards  2014    -­‐  Respect  Award.  This  Award  is  for  ‘Someone  who  has  demonstrated  the  Olympic  value  of  respect  or  fair  play  within  their  sport’.  We  were  up  against  some  very  dedicated  volunteers  who  also  love  their  Clubs.  In  giving  the  Award  to  Heart  &  Soul,  the  judging  panel  really  did  think  ‘outside  the  box’  and  how  sport  isn’t  always  in  its  classic  form  but  always  inclusive  whatever  the  condition.      

The  evening  was  a  wonderful  event,  with  Mayors  from  both  Boroughs  and  Matt  Whitlock  our  local  Olympic  Hero  and  Lita  in  a  dress!    The  Award  means  the  world  to  Lita  &  Shelley.  They  have  worked  so  hard  over  the  last  two  years  to  make  Heart  &  Soul  work,  not  just  thinking  of  health  but  also  organising  events  such  as  Ramp  in  for  Red  (BHF),  Party  in  the  Park  for  the  summer,  Promenade  on  the  Pier  (fund  raiser  for  the  local  Cardiac  Rehabilitation  Gyms)  and  of  course  the  Christmas  Party.      

The  future  is  looking  very  bright,  as  2015  will  be  the  year  that  our  work  will  be  extended  into  the  community  setting  and  the  referral  pathway  extended  to  our  local  GPs  and  Heart  Failure  Team.  The  Award  has  added  an  extra  level  to  the  professional  face  of  Cardiac  Rehabilitation  and  has  raised  the  profile  of  our  work.    

Wish  us  luck!  Lita  Freegard  http://litafreegardfitness.co.uk    

“This  Award  means  the  world  to  us”  

“The  future  is  looking  very  bright”