Finding Hope at 52: John's Story

I’m 52 years old and I’ve lived in the Park Ward community my whole life. For many years, I led a fairly inactive lifestyle, especially after developing some long-term health conditions due to an accident. After struggling to find motivation to work out, I found myself lazy, spending most of my time at home with very little routine or motivation to do more.

The staff and volunteers at Unique Community Hub were very welcoming and helpful from the first day I joined. The Hub was introduced to me by my brother when they started offering a new session called The Brothers Hub for adults. It was a good starting point, as they encouraged me to keep coming back and attending the sessions.

Every week, we would go on walking groups, bike rides and gym sessions, which gradually became easier over time and improved my physical appearance, motivating me to stay active.

I got help from staff and volunteers who took the time to speak with me and always involved me in activities. It also helped that there were people of a similar age to me and with similar experiences, which made me feel more comfortable.

Now that I’ve built a routine into my life and allowed more time for activities, it’s motivating me to stay more active and is something I look forward to instead of avoiding. The staff have helped me to set personal goals and challenges for myself, which I think are achievable and give me something to work towards.

Being more active has given me a purpose, as I am working towards my goals, and it’s something I’m truly grateful for.

The benefits have played a huge part in my life, both mentally and physically. I’ve lost some weight and feel more mobile, which is important at my age. My energy levels are much higher, and I no longer feel lazy.

I feel like I am part of something, my mood has lifted, and I feel more hopeful for the future.