Long Covid sufferer finally in recovery, thanks to REACH programme with Active Oldham

A Royton man, who was in intensive care with COVID, now says he's on the road to recovery, thanks to the exercise referral scheme and staff at Oldham Active (Oldham Community Leisure).

Roy Turner, who is 59 and a former NHS mental health worker, caught Covid 15 months ago and spent two and half weeks in intensive care, before being moved to a ward for several weeks.

Six months ago, he was referred to the Reach Exercise Referral Scheme run by Oldham Active to help combat his long-Covid diagnosis, and having completed the 12-week exercise programme says he finally feels as though he is getting his life back. 

Roy, a volunteer church warden at St Paul’s Church, explains: “Before catching Covid, I wasn’t really the type of person to use a leisure centre.  

"With my NHS work and my volunteering for the church, there wasn’t much time for it. But I can’t believe the difference the REACH referral has made to my life; the referral has only made positive changes.

"I’m still a shadow of my former self and normal daily life is still difficult, but due to my exercise referral, things are starting to feel more positive and I’m continuing to make efforts in my wellbeing by attending the gym at Royton Leisure Centre twice a week.”

The REACH (Referrals Encouraging Activity, Confidence and Health) Exercise Referral Scheme run by Oldham Active is a structured group based 12-week exercise programme, designed to improve the health of patients with particular risk factors and encourage lifestyle changes for long term health benefits.

The Reach scheme incorporated long Covid rehabilitation into its cardiac/pulmonary programme in early 2020 when Covid-19 and long covid became prevalent.

Healthcare Professionals can refer patients to the REACH programme to support them in active recovery.

Roy, who is still unable to return to his full time NHS job of 22 years, first completed a post Covid rehabilitation scheme with the Pennine Lung services at Werneth Primary Care Centre in Oldham, and in April 2021 was referred by his doctors to the Reach Exercise Referral Scheme run by Active Oldham (Oldham Community Leisure) on behalf of Oldham Clinical Commissioning Group.

During the 12 week REACH programme, referrals are encouraged to attend the group-based sessions that run five days a week at the five Leisure Centres across Oldham. They also have access to swimming and both wet and dry exercise classes.

Roy says: “At the gym I use a series of exercise machines, including rowing, bike, cross training and arm peddles. I’ve even lost some weight.  

"There is such a good atmosphere at the gym, and I’m pleased to keep on coming. Everyone is welcome at the leisure centre - there is a smile from everyone you meet.  

"I’ve made lots of new friends through the programme, and it’s great that we can all relate to each other and our health problems.  

“It’s also important to feel accountable to something; to feel that I am doing something to aid my own recovery.  

"Knowing I am expected to be at the gym gives me a great incentive to get up and do something, as without work it’s easy to lose a daily routine.  

"Jason, who runs the referral programme, is such a lovely guy, and I really believe that God sent him to me. The REACH programme is personalised to an individual's diagnosis and needs, and everything is really carefully explained; the team really do go that extra mile.”

                                              Oldham was 'hard hit' by COVID

Jason Bailey, Health & Wellbeing Officer, Oldham Active, Reach Scheme Coordinator says: “The addition of long Covid rehabilitation to the Reach scheme referral criteria ensures our programme is providing the services our community needs.  

"Oldham was hard hit by Covid, and many thousands of people in our area are still struggling with long Covid.  Our programme means the people of Oldham have access to help and advice to continue in their recovery.

“I’m so proud of Roy, he is making a fantastic recovery from the de-conditioning effects of his Covid diagnosis. His overall health and wellbeing continues to improve.  He’s such an inspiration to others at Royton Leisure Centre.”

When Roy eventually came home from hospital after several weeks, he moved into a downstairs room and stayed there for the next three months, as he couldn't manage much.

Roy explains: “I didn’t have the energy to do much and stairs were impossible. My body would shake and just the smallest amount of activity would leave me exhausted.  

"Even now, over a year later, I have an inhaler and suffer with shortness of breath.

"I get chest pain, muscle fatigue, tiredness, my eye sight has deteriorated, I have crippling anxiety and suffer with terrible brain fog.”

For more information about the Reach scheme and how to be referred, contact the team on 0161 621 3343 or email: reach@ocll.co.uk

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