Health & Fitness

11th Aug 2023

Don’t miss the Willen Hospice Cycle Sportive this September

Willen Hospice is inviting cycling enthusiasts to take part in their popular Cycle Sportive on Sunday 3rd September. The event is kindly sponsored by Mercedes-Benz Financial Services and supported by Broughton Cycling Group (BCG). This year there are three new routes to choose from; 35 miles, 65 miles, and a 100 miler. Each route starts from The Good Gym MK, in Kiln Farm, heading out into the countryside, passing through the beautiful areas surrounding Milton Keynes. The Cycle Sportive is open to individual cyclists or teams wishing to ride together. There will be food and water stations on all routes to keep cyclists energised and hydrated. Corley Cycles will be providing mechanical support at the start/finish, as well as support vehicles along the routes. Every participant will receive an exclusive Willen Hospice Sportive finisher’s medal on the day, and a volunteer photographer will be there on the day to take..

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19th Jun 2023

Using music for memories

We know that listening to a favourite song makes us feel good, and a certain tune on the radio can trigger specific memories. Music is incredibly evocative, which also makes it such a brilliant tool for those living with dementia. In Milton Keynes, Singing for the Brain sessions have proven so popular that the fortnightly musical meetings – organised by the Alzheimer’s Society – recently celebrated their ninth anniversary. Sammy Jones spoke with Dementia Advisor Chelsea Gadd about the power of music. Chelsea has worked to support people living with dementia for the last eight years; first as a live-in carer and then in a care home. “When I first became a live-in carer, I supported a lovely lady who was diagnosed with dementia. After living with her and hearing her stories and experiences, I developed a keen enthusiasm to continue..

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17th Jun 2023

Clarity of Thinking to help with life’s challenges

Many people are still trying to cope with the after-effects of the pandemic. One solution is therapy provided by Clarity Thinking, based in Newport Pagnell. Or participating in a range of Counselling courses available from Clarity Thinking Learning Hub, an independent learning provider. These Counselling courses are designed to assist individuals in becoming more effective in communicating and moving positively forward in their professional and personal life.  Since the practice opened its doors in 2008 it has helped many clients with their mental health challenges enabling them to have an improved positive relationship with their emotional well-being.  The founders have both worked for the NHS and have professionally experienced the impact of the pandemic, and the ongoing after effects of the pandemic that has placed the need for more qualified therapeutic counsellors.  These experiences have helped to develop and create Clarity Thinking Learning Hub. There are a variety of course..

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10th Mar 2023

Six local walks to put a ‘Spring’ in your step this March

Milton Keynes may now FINALLY be a city, but it is absolutely littered with beautiful countryside trails. As we (hopefully!) approach the warmer, clearer weather, check out MK Pulse’s handy guide to six-of-the-best local walks, courtesy of the AllTrails App, to try out this Spring. Trail One – Ampthill and Mauldon Circular The first trail takes you through the gentle rolling landscape of the Bedfordshire Hills, providing superb views of the countryside throughout. The circular walk starts from the ruins of Houghton House, said to be the inspiration for House Beautiful in John Bunyan's ‘The Pilgrim's Progress.’ This 8.5km trail is generally considered to be an easy route, taking an average of 2 hours and 28 minutes to complete. The walk itself has several steady but long climbs and descents throughout and there is one stile and several kissing gates. The paths are a mixture of tarmac/concrete lanes and field..

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28th Jul 2021

£200,000 gym upgrade for Woughton Leisure Centre

Customers and members at Woughton Leisure Centre will soon be able to benefit from a new state of the art gym, following an investment of over £200,000 to upgrade the facilities. Work will begin on upgrading the gym at the start of August and works are expected to be completed by the beginning of September. The investment will see the existing large studio space transformed into a cardio and strength gym with more than 50 pieces of strength and cardiovascular equipment, including built in TV and social media channels. This amazing investment package will not impact the group exercise programme, with customers still able to take part in classes across the three remaining studios, including the immersive indoor cycling studio - THE TRIP™ a fully immersive workout experience that combines a 40-minute multi-peak cycling workout with a journey through digitally created worlds. Not to mention the HIIT studio and holistic..

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13th Jun 2021

“There is no timeline for grief...

Deborah Lewis suffered the trauma of losing both parents during the pandemic.  Now she is using her experience to support others through the grief process with the launch of a new covid support group. She started it from her home in Milton Keynes, but it is already helping thousands of people across the country, as she told Pulse’s Sammy Jones. As society gradually starts the healing process after the devastation wreaked by Covid, there is still a long way to go. The vaccination rollout has provided us with hope and inches us nearer to normality and the recent lifting of restrictions has done wonders for the mood of the nation. But for those who lost loved ones to the pandemic, things will be forever changed.  Deborah endured the pain of losing her father to Covid in April 2020. “...I discovered there was an absolute lack of information and support regarding..

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22nd May 2021

Luke’s getting set for the ride of his life

We all take our mental health for granted. But when things go wrong we need to recognise the issues and ask for help. When Luke Radwell found the courage to do that, everything changed - and now he wants to help others. He shared his inspirational story with Pulse’s Sammy Jones. As a youngster, Luke would struggle with his confidence and shy away from big groups in preference of being alone, and when he left school, he swerved college choosing to go straight into work. But inside, he still felt unsettled. “I’m not sure of any one trigger, but later on instead of seeking help, I started drinking and using other substances. It was a way of covering up the pain.” And then came a particularly dark day in 2018 when Luke, from Olney, decided enough was enough: “The alcohol was making me miserable and I couldn’t do it any..

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10th May 2021

Celebrate national children’s day & take part in the 5k may challenge for local children’s...

With National Children’s Day approaching (Sunday 16th May), a Milton Keynes children’s charity is urging people to walk, run, cycle, swim or roll 5km to raise funds to support vulnerable children in our region.  St. Francis’ Children’s Society (SFCS) are taking part in the 5k May Challenge, which is a national campaign led by charity donation platform Just Giving and Run For Heroes, a charity which raised over £7 million for NHS Charities during the first national lockdown in 2020.  The 5k May Challenge aims to make fundraising events more inclusive and accessible. Everyone can get involved, regardless of age or physical ability, and experience that great sense of achievement that comes from completing a challenge AND raising funds for a good cause.  Anju Chadha-McLean, Fundraiser at SFCS says: “We believe every child deserves to grow up in a safe, stable and loving family. National Children’s Day is just one..

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29th Apr 2021

Celebrate National Walking month with The Parks Trust

During the past year access to green space has been more important than ever. Being able to enjoy the great outdoors has been beneficial for our minds and bodies. Going out for a walk has helped us to stay active and be connected.  This May is National Walking month and The Parks Trust, the charity that cares for over 6,000 acres of parkland across the city, is encouraging you, to get out into the great outdoors. Throughout the month you’ll be able to attend a variety of walking events with The Trust, take part in their Walking Festival as well as follow new self-led walking routes from their website.  The Parks Trust will again be holding their Walking Festival which this year will be taking place across the weekend of 7th to 9th May. Over this three-day period, you’ll be able to take part in 21 walks throughout the city,..

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18th Mar 2021

Doctor, Doctor I feel like a snack...

Days spent in a hospital bed can drag on a bit, and aside from meals, bathroom visits and the Doctor making their rounds, there really is little to help pass the time. But at Milton Keynes University Hospital, one daily highlight was the ward visit by the trolley service. It was a chance to grab a little sweet treat to accompany that welcome cup of tea; or to take a daily newspaper and find out what was going on in the world. “So many patients and staff would wait for the trolley every day,” said Clare Logan, volunteer recruiter and fundraiser with MK Friends of MK Hospital and Community, “It was really popular until the restrictions had to be brought in.” New safety measures implemented because of the pandemic meant there was no choice but for the trolley to be temporarily retired and parked up. And with visiting hours reduced..

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15th Feb 2021

Runners invited to team up for Willen Hospice 48 Hour Relay Run

Willen Hospice has once again partnered up with local gym, energie Fitness MK, for their second virtual 48 Hour Relay Run, following its success at the start of the first Covid-19 lockdown. This year’s event will start at 8am on Friday 19 March, and finish at the same time on Sunday 21 March. Runners can run, walk or jog outside in their local area, in their garden, up and down the stairs, or around the living room in 20, 40, or 60-minute slots, before passing a ‘virtual’ baton onto the next runner via Zoom.  It’s just £5 per 20 minute time slot to take part, and runners are encouraged to gather sponsorship for their efforts.  Last year the event raised an incredible £14,000. This covers the total cost of running the Hospice for an entire day. This year, organisers hope to raise just as much, if not more. Tracey Jago,..

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08th Feb 2021

Saxon Court confirmed as main Milton Keynes vaccination hub

Thousands of people are set to be vaccinated at a landmark site in Milton Keynes, as the city begins to fight back against Coronavirus. Saxon Court, on Avebury Boulevard, is now ready to distribute Covid-19 vaccines - potentially saving the lives of thousands of local residents on a weekly basis. Mixed-use developers, First Base and investors Patron Capital, who together acquired the former council building back in October 2020, are pleased to support Milton Keynes Council and NHS England to facilitate the roll-out of the vaccine to the local community.  Olaide Oboh, Director of Partnerships, First Base said: “We are proud to be supporting  Milton Keynes Council and the NHS as they undertake this significant and important task. Saxon Court sits at the heart of Milton Keynes and we are pleased that the building will be part of the city’s recovery and renewal.” MK Council Leader, Peter Marland commented: “In..

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26th Jan 2021

Strictly speaking with Soo Yoga founder Kristina

As 2021 dawns, Pulse’s Sammy Jones checked in at Soo Yoga to see how the new business fared during an extraordinary year - and what the future looks like…. T he last time I spoke with Kristina Rihanoff she was buzzing; the Strictly Come Dancing star had just realised her dream of opening the first family wellbeing centre in Northamptonshire, and Soo Yoga was proving quite the magnet for those wanting to improve or maintain their health. Kristina and her partner, former England Rugby star Ben Cohen had poured their collective heart, soul, knowledge and finances into the venture, and the response had been fantastic. She was working crazy hours in her bid to ensure it was a success; often teaching half a dozen classes daily herself. It was early days, but things were going well. And then coronavirus bit. Like businesses everywhere, Soo Yoga had to pull down the..

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22nd Jan 2021

Sign up to make a real change

Since launching in 2014, more than one million people have signed up to give Veganuary a go, and in 2021 the campaign is set to enjoy its biggest success – with an estimated 500,000 people set to ditch animal products. Veganuary is focused on changing behaviours and attitudes, and encourages consumers to ditch the meat and dairy in favour of a plant-based diet. The campaign serves as an online friend for participants – with tips and support and a website bursting with helpful resources to help make the ‘journey’ easier; recipes, a starter kit and meal plans are shared to take the hassle out of trying vegan. Today, vegan food is not all soya milk, nut roasts and pulses found hidden in the corner of your local health food store, although there is nothing wrong with that, of course. Things are changing. Whether..

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15th Dec 2020

Rutland Cycling Support FareShare East Midlands

Rutland Cycling are donating £6,000 to FareShare East Midlands which will provide 24,000 meals to the local community. For the month of November Rutland Cycling pledged to donate 50% of all hire revenue across their 14 shops to FareShare East Midlands, part of the UK’s national network of charitable food redistributors, which provides food where needed to children and families.  Karen Archer, CEO, says: “As an essential retailer during the pandemic we have been in a fortunate position to have been able to continue to offer our hire bike service across Central England during the November lockdown.  Being a family-owned business, we felt it was important to support FareShare East Midlands during these challenging times and are delighted to be able to donate £6,000 to the campaign that Marcus Rashford, the Manchester Utd footballer, has brilliantly raised the profile of during 2020.  This will provide 24,000 meals to help make..

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