Carolyn Scott – Volunteer to Mover and Shaker

Getting to know the community in Sowerby Bridge has brought Active Calderdale into contact with Carolyn Scott – a local resident and volunteer turned physical activity provider.

Carolyn delivers accessible and inclusive, upbeat movement sessions to groups at Memory Lane Dementia Cafe at St Paul’s Methodist Church and Foundry Street Community Centre in Sowerby Bridge and at St Peter's Community Centre in Sowerby village. In October 2024, she became a volunteer Active Champion with Active Calderdale, encouraging and supporting people to move more in new and accessible ways.

Living in central Sowerby Bridge and knowing her community, Carolyn identified a gap in provision for older adults, those with limited mobility and living with long-term health conditions and disabilities. She wanted to bring music, movement and laughter to people - knowing and experiencing the benefits of these herself.

In early 2024, she started volunteering with the local Memory Lane Dementia Cafe, who run popular, fortnightly get-togethers for people with dementia and other life-long illnesses and their carers. June Harvey, who has run the Dementia Cafe for many years, spotted Carolyn's qualities as an ex-nurse, an advocate for physical activity and someone full of energy and positivity. June approached Active Calderdale to help fund 'Move It or Lose It' training for Carolyn. Once she had completed the training, Carolyn was ready to get started. And she has gone from strength to strength, bringing her original, fun and relaxed teaching to more local groups. 

As well as upskilling herself, Carolyn has brought new skills and talents out in others. She supports volunteers at St Peter's Community Centre to take part in and lead sessions as an addition to their weekly Community Lunches. Through the Active Sowerby & Sowerby Bridge network, Carolyn has linked in with Foundry Street Community Centre. Andrew and Shelia, the centre's lead volunteers, realised there was a need for a warm, welcoming drop-in space for people to have a relaxed chat over a brew. They set-up a weekly Chat Lounge. Carolyn has become part of these weekly meet-ups, introducing gentle exercise to the group as part of the sessions.  

Her approachable manner, skills and experience have recently enabled Carolyn to join the team at Grassroots CIC as their ‘official’ active champion, working alongside manager Kate to build on all the great work that’s been happening there for the past few years – focusing on improving and increasing opportunities for the local community in Sowerby village to be more active.

Next month, Carolyn will also be leading seated line dancing sessions with Cindy's Silver Stompers. A popular local class, line dancing has been a great hit locally, yet some residents are unable to access the standing classes. Carolyn's creativity and Cindy's choreography have led them to design an accessible class for all. Bringing music, movement and joy to more people in local communities. 

What Carolyn has to say 

"My ways of keeping active are many and varied and not your stereotypical exercise classes or gym, they don't cost much either. Becoming more active can even be parking your car further away from the shops or getting off the bus a stop early, every little helps and it's never too late to start. 

Another way I keep active is dancing. The music lifts my energy levels and carries me away to the rhythm, I can lose myself and enjoy the present moment - rather than thinking about the past I can't change or future worries that might never happen.

 I enjoy Morris dancing and Line dancing - not at the same time! Both are practiced once a week plus we have 'dance outs' and social events too dotted in between. This has really extended my social circle; I've made some great friends of all ages with a mutual interest. This makes me feel part of the community. Dance also exercises both body and mind, the two being inseparable. 

I love to listen to and play music, it's relaxing and fun, the drumming lessons being quite a workout too! I have ukulele lessons and meet for band practice once a week, it gets me out and keeps me active as I use public transport (to help protect our planet) and have a good walk to and from the train station. 

The only formal exercise I do is when I teach gentle exercise to the over 60's at our local dementia cafe, Memory Lane. We have great fun. Moving to good, lively music, working to each individuals' strengths and abilities. It really promotes a positive attitude to exercise, and life in general, when we focus on what we can do rather than what we can't.  

I aim to promote the routines as a story so that they are easier to remember and fun. I relate each exercise to how it can help with activities of daily living and prevent falls. Keeping active is an essential part of my life and I love it. The activities I enjoy do not cost much and are easily accessible to anyone, walking is free! 

By keeping active it strengthens my muscles which in turn protects my joints from any age related 'wear and tear' problems. It improves my stamina so I can easily keep up with the grandchildren. My circulatory system benefits too, keeping my heart strong and my blood pressure and pulse rate at healthy levels without medication. Combined with a healthy, nutritious diet (from the allotment), it keeps my cholesterol levels and weight healthy and lowers my risk of diabetes. 

Keeping active is sociable, energising, fun and rewarding, it helps prevent and or manage age related ailments, bringing massive benefits to general health and well-being."