the maintenance program at South East Regional Hospital runs twice a week and focuses on improving participants’ balance and preventing their risk of falls. 

Setting the pace of the class are hospital volunteers Allan Hull and Keith Williamson. 

Mr Hull and Mr Williamson have been running the program for about 14 months to take pressure off hospital staff. 

The pair were recruited to run the program while participating in another physiotherapy program at SERH and now they are using their first-hand recovery experience to lead a new group. 

“We already knew all of the exercises, so it was easy for us to step up to the job,” Mr Hull said. 

The pair agreed the best thing about running the class was seeing the progress of others.

“We’ve had people come in with walking sticks and go out without them,”  Mr Hull said.  

Running the classes also ensured the men kept up with their own physiotherapy exercises. 

“When you’re at home on your own it can be hard to motivate yourself to do them,” Mr Williamson said. 

“But if you come in here once a week, you get yourself into a routine and you can work through it as a group.” 

Mr Williamson added that coordinating the class meant he got a mental, as well as a physical, workout. 

“It keeps the mind active, not because it’s hard work, but it means we have to think about everyone else’s exercise as well as our own,” he said. 

“It makes sure my body and mind keep ticking.”

Peter McCarthy, allied health assistant, who facilitates the groups along with Physiotherapist Ian Hogg said the maintenance program was for anyone looking to improve their stability and strength.

“Some patients obviously will come to the physiotherapy department with have higher needs and higher risks that need to be treated by hospital staff,” he said. 

“But our aim is to work with them until they can progress to the maintenance classes and keep up their exercises with the volunteers here.” 

SERH is hoping to expand the maintenance program with the help of more volunteers. 

Mr Hull said it was a rewarding role and encouraged others to get involved. 

“It’s great, I’ve never regretted a minute of it,” he said. 

Currently the program runs twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays at SERH and once a week on Wednesdays at Pambula Hospital. 

Anyone interested in volunteering at SERH can contact hospital volunteer coordinator Jenny Francis on 0401 093 422 or email jenny.francis1@health.nsw.gov.au