Roots of Yggdrasil CIC: Social Investment Impact Report

SECTIONS

1. Roots of Yggdrasil objectives

(i) Aims & outcome area(ii) The beneficiaries(iii) Deprivation area focus(iv) Outputs: social values (v) Outputs: health values

2. Case studies – Outcomes

(i) Scarborough(ii) Whitby(iii) Staithes(iv) Outcomes key points

3. Growth plans

(i) Reporting Framework(ii) Expansion strategy

1. Roots of Yggdrasil

(i) Aims & outcome area

Roots of Yggdrasil is a health and well-being provider and was incorporated as a Community Interest Company in February 2019.

Its purpose is to organise classes in local communities to increase the health and well-being of people living in disadvantaged and rural areas in Yorkshire where traditional establishments such as gyms are neither available or affordable to the demographic that needs the services of Roots. It has a mobile and flexible business operation that allows the classes to be taken into the community, so reducing time and travel expense for the users.

The target market is predominantly for people in less connected and less affluent neighbourhoods who face barriers to exercise through location, personal budget or health restrictions.

Roots believes that modern gym culture does not particularly appeal to many in society because of fixed venues, high costs and membership fees, and with a physical elitism that disengages people who have chronic health issues but want some form of softer, social-based exercise.

The social impact of Roots is documented in this report through interviews with several class attendees who spoke openly about the outputs for themselves, and their own personal and individual assessment of the physical, mental and social outcomes of the health and well-being sessions.

These include a woman aged 98, a man aged 64 with debilitating head injuries following a 40ft fall, a grandmother to 19 children, a women of 48 suffering from seizures following a stroke and a former nurse with painful leg problems who walks to the class with the aid of a stick. The classes also include elderly people who have spoken about their younger days when they were extremely active in attending gyms, playing sport or trekking, and had busy careers around the country.

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The community objective of Roots on the basis of extra funding is to be self-sustaining and significantly expand the grassroots offering by increasing the frequency, number and geographic expansion of the classes by creating extra staffing and promotion if resourcing was available. There could also be more data provision, health issues targeting and serving a wider range of people who are not currently participants.

Roots’ personalised, small group exercise classes help to reduce social inclusion and increase emotional well-being, as the attendees have said in their own words. The class sizes are limited to 15 attendees to help ensure individual attention within the group interaction.

The low-priced health and well-being sessions are carried out in deprived and in rural communities in Whitby and Scarborough in North Yorkshire and also in Doncaster in South Yorkshire. Extra funding would assist longevity of Roots’ provision.

Roots believes that its sessions help and can help further to relieve pressure on the NHS and social care services. This belief that Roots is already making a positive impact on health and well-being is supported by the case studies (Section 2). For example, the wife who attends a class with her husband who suffers from vascular dementia, and other attendees say the chair-based exercises have improved the relief of their ailments. The preventative nature of Roots’ forms of exercises is a valuable aspect and has greater potential.

The community side of the company which is detailed here, will be supported by the corporate aspect of Roots which offers a range of desk-based and office-based exercise services for all types of businesses, undertaking staff wellness audits, aids the return of people back to work and so assists staff recruitment and retention.

The Roots of Yggdrasil won the New Business of the Year award in The Scarborough Excellence in Business Awards 2019.

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Core to the Roots’ provision are four themes:

o Demographic: The target audience for the Roots sessions is adults of any age but attendees are primarily aged in their 60s to mid-80s. Section 2 details the backgrounds and personal details of many participants. The Roots class at Church House, Whitby, currently has an attendee aged 97. Some of the classes (eg Scarborough Disability Action Group) are attended by younger people and people with mental health issues and autism. Both Whitby and Scarborough classes include people with disabilities of various forms.

o Format: Attendees sit in a circle with the session tutor and each partipant is given a resistance band (the strength and usage of the band varying for individuals). Also in use during the session can be foam rollers and Reebok steps. Tennis balls, footballs and bell balls are also used, depending on the space available. The services differ from private gyms, boot camps and fitness which are based on weights, technique or on speed. The Roots classes are carefully-structured but also informal and they involve group activities. Group interaction includes passing, throwing or bouncing balls at random by call of name or to the next person, requiring co-ordination, reaction and alertness. See 2iv.

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PLACETONE

DEMOGRAPHIC

FORMAT

Roots of Yggdrasil

o Place: The classes are organised at venues convenient to people in and around their own communities. They are for people who would like to undertake simple exercise but not gym-based fitness and who are not typical gym-users or leisure centre users. There is a significant social inclusion and friendship network that flows from Roots classes, as social media comments also show. Roots seeks to reduce the travelling distances required for people to attend the classes and it uses existing community bases for these sessions. Venues are specifically focused on church and community halls, or village centres and libraries, not leisure centres. The locations support the informality of the sessions. The Roots sessions include Bentley Pavilion, a community centre in Doncaster; sessions in Whitby at old Church House; Staithes Village Hall, a former Edwardian drill hall; and Scarborough - at the YMCA built in the 1960s and The Street, a diverse, modern community centre.

o Tone: A verbatim excerpt of the class interaction at Whitby illustrates a typical class (See 2iv). Separate to the physical activity, the entire session is interspersed with laughter. This element of frequent laugh interaction is pervasive and integral to the manner in which the class is run. There is clear direction by the class leader on each of the many activities but without any sense of enforcement or obligation - and certain people at certain points are encouraged not to take part in specific exercises as it is known by the session leader that their conditions might preclude particular movements. At the same time, no-one feels excluded from the group dynamics. Anyone attending the sessions would see that the classes are conducted as a partnership and heavily personalised by frequent use of first names.

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THE COMMUNITY ROOTS

Roots fulfils the criteria of social enterprise as a company with a community-supporting ethos and was supported on this basis by Scarborough-based Coast and Vale Community Action during 2019 which includes the North Yorkshire geography of Roots’ classes. Roots is currently a small organisation working to deliver social impact but operating as a social business rather than a charity; Social Enterprise UK and the Lloyd’s Bank Foundation say 41% of these businesses are focused on serving a specific local community, with extra attention to deprived areas while seeking to remain sustainable and not often given public contracts.

Power to Change indicates that neighbourhood-level efforts, of the kind that Roots undertakes, can be a useful route to supporting people who need it most. Comments (see section 2iii) confirm that Roots the weekly classes of Roots are filling a gap that had been left empty (in rural Staithes, north of Whitby) by previous exercise organisers which had moved on and left the elderly attendees without other local options. It also says that at least a quarter of small social enterprises such as Roots are based in the top 20% most deprived zones – areas which Roots embraces.

The name of Roots of Yggdrasil derives from the tree of life in Norse mythology, providing support and stability for communities, reflecting the company’s health and friendship spirit. In contributing to the tree of life, Roots puts in place a structure that is demonstrably helping the health of many individuals, mentally, physically and socially.

In sections 1 and 2 and in accordance with Theory of Change guidelines and the Outcomes Framework, Roots sets out the activities, achievements, outputs and goals.

In section 3, Roots explains what more could be achieved with extra social impact funding and to demonstrate that the organisation is investment-ready for the social investment grant. Roots have already secured a detailed business marketing strategy which connects with their overall strategy.

Grant support would enable greater refinement of Roots social impact planning, greater effectiveness and expansion.

The financial resource would help towards extra staffing and classes, more frequency and more areas.

This would lead to more social inclusion and preventative ill-health exercise.

The new funding would also provide a firmer basis to take up opportunities for growth, as well as improved benchmarking, monitoring and more extensive data provision.

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(ii) Beneficiaries

Chair-based exercises are the flagship scheme of Roots. These activities are beneficial for people with obesity and diabetes (type 2), joint replacement, muscular imbalance, respiratory rehabilitation for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and arthritis.

The relatively gentle workouts also help density and muscle strengthening, and help joints and osteopathic conditions and postural support. The sessions are low-intensity and primarily cardiovascular, with dynamic and static stretching, slow or faster movements in relaxed, safe environments.

The classes are generally but not exclusively targeted for people aged 65+, a demographic that is on the rise locally, regionally and nationally.

This group of people are the focus of more social prescribing – with increasing awareness among NHS clinical commissioning groups and health professionals to consider referring patients to physical activities to help improve their health and well-being – and reduce dependency on prescribed medication.

Grant support could be used to help progress on these objectives and opportunities, because:

o As in the rest of North Yorkshire, the population of Scarborough borough is increasing and ageing with a projected population of 111,800 by 2035

o The population of older people (65 and over) in Scarborough is expected to increase from 22.9% in 2010 to 33.1% by 2035 (Scarborough Borough Council statistics)

o In South Yorkshire, the number of people in Doncaster aged 65 and over is due to increase by about 24,500 (43%) from 2016 to 2039. This has implications for a wide range of local services, particularly health and social care services – and an opportunity to the type of services offered by Roots.

o In the UK, the Office for National Statistics says people aged 65 and over will take up 282,000 new UK jobs out of a total of 546,000 created by 2030

Scarborough Age Distribution: the population of Scarborough as a whole, is older than the national average. The population of Scarborough is also older than the North Yorkshire average, making Scarborough an older persons’ location …

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Age Scarborough North Yorkshire England

Age 0 to 4 4.9% 5.2% 6.3%Age 5 to 9 4.6% 5.2% 5.6%Age 10 to14 5.3% 5.8% 5.8%Age 15 to 17 3.5% 3.7% 3.7%Age 18 to 24 8.3% 7.5% 9.4%Age 25 to 29 4.9% 5% 6.9%Age 30 to 44 15.9% 17.9% 20.6%Age 45 to 59 21.3% 21.7% 19.4%Age 60 to 64 8% 7.5% 6%Age 65 to 74 12.2% 10.9% 8.6%Age 75 to 84 7.8% 6.9% 5.5%Age 85 and over 3.2% 2.8% 2.3%

Mean Age 44.2 42.8 39.3Median Age 46 44 39

Source: Office for National Statistics & Department for Work & Pensions

These figures point to a growing target audience for the community activities of Roots. People will work on for longer than traditional retirement ages and will need to maintain active and healthier lifestyles to be able to continue working as a way of keeping physically and mentally active, even if only as a means of topping up pensions. Grant support would enable Roots to give more focus to specific ailments eg hips and elbows, back and shoulders, arms, feet, ankles and knees. There are also potential options for targeted classes that focus on runners who can suffer from particular physical problems.

Roots provide free classes for carers and for Armed Forces veterans. It hopes to be able to link up with Scarborough Borough Council to hold displays/exhibition at the national armed forces day taking place in the presence of the Prime Minister and a member of the Royal Family in Scarborough on Saturday June 27 2020.

Roots objectives fit the changes to multi-stage lives of people who are no longer in education, work or traditional forms of retirement. By 2030, the proportion of people in the UK aged 65+ will 20%, and there will be 6m people aged 65+ with 21,000 centenarians (The 100 Year Life – Living and Working in an Age of Longevity). Beyond the statistics, people are starting their own companies, working part-time, volunteering and changing jobs in their 50s by choice or necessity. These changes open the door to social enterprises such as Roots which can support continued activity and health at local levels.

Age UK states: “The UK, like many countries, has an ageing population and while more over-65s working than ever before does bring some challenges, it also creates many opportunities … The lucky ones who are in good health and who enjoy their jobs continue working beyond their retirement age as a positive lifestyle choice.”

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Roots’ community-centric services are also useful valuable for:

o Injury prevention and rehabilitation o Return to work and other activitieso Prolonged active lifeo Community-buildingo Healthier, happier socialisationo Regaining mobilityo Sprains, strains, tears

The case studies (below) support the work of Roots as a significant contributor to regular exercise that improves the quality of life of older people, making ill-health better, and in helping disabled and injured people. There is also considerable mental stimulation at the sessions which show that Roots is also supplying laughter - the best medicine, according to a proverb from the Wisdom of Solomon: the excerpt re-produced below reflects the real physical and psychological benefits which attendees specifically refer to in their own summary of experiences.

The beneficiaries also include:

o the families of the attendees – one 81-year-old woman with 19 grandchildren praised the extra fitness thanks to Roots (“feel physically better when you leave)

o the partners - an 82-year-old woman spoke of how her return from the sessions led to extra conversation with her husband, and another woman who attends for her own fitness brings her husband who suffers from dementia and he was happy to be involved and became more engaged at the class

o the wider community – as some of the attendees maintain their participation in organising local activities

o younger people – the Scarborough disability class in particular includes two younger members who enjoy the interaction and the average age of attendees is below 40 and including an 18-year-old with mental health problems

o social inclusion – the comments from class participants strongly and consistently emphasise how important this aspect is to them in terms of getting out of the house and meeting people.

The NHS and Clinical Commissioning Groups would also be secondary beneficiaries because “evidence shows public health interventions offer good pay-back both for better health and well-being and for NHS finances. For every £1 spent, the monetary value of the benefit from such interventions is estimated to be around £14,” says the Nuffield Trust (https://www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/cuts-to-public-health-why-spending-less-will-cost-the-nhs-more)

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(iii) The benefits – in their own words, a summary of the case studies:

‘The sessions are about getting to know one another. We can establish skills that we learn when we are children at school but as you get older or have disabilities, or for personal reasons, you need a reason to get out. It builds a framework’

Mark Smith, 64

‘I know I need to exercise and I love the social aspect of the class … the classes encourage me to make the effort to get out’

Hilda Wray, 98

‘These classes are definitely social. I had given up. You do feel better when you get back home … you definitely get out of the house more and I have met new friends’

Betty Cooper, 83

‘I don’t like just sitting … the sessions help to go out, to improve your health’

Carol Rollinson, 64

‘The socialising is good, we are all friends together. It makes you more social’

Mikey Joyce, 34

‘It helps physically and mentally’

Natalia Crawshaw, 33

‘We need exercise. It is a benefit to us in our old age. It is a good thing to do’

Hazel Thomas, 78

‘The class is good for social interaction … I feel good after the classes’

Karen Spoors, 48

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‘I know it’s a benefit. It is definitely worthwhile. I have osteoarthritis in my spine, it’s painful and I need medication. Some of the exercises here expand my lung capacity’

Nona Laughton, 58

‘It is just good to be out of the house. It is a good laugh … you feel physically better when you leave – not just with the exercise but the conversation’

Veronica Foster, 81

‘The sessions I have improved my health. I was always active and healthy as a younger person. But I have a heart problem now. I think it is good, to get out of the house’

Pat Hopkinson, 84

‘The class helps you to get out of the house. It has given me an insight into what the aches and pains are caused by and led me to understand more about exercise and how your body controls your aches and pains’

Winifred Craig, 85

‘It’s good to get with people, it’s great and the exercises are beneficial. For me it’s more like a social thing. If you have not seen anyone all week, it is good. I look forward to coming. It’s quite social and we have a good laugh. You feel better when you get home’

Patricia Turner, 82

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(iv) Deprivation indices

Deprivation statistics indicate a large and increasing customer base for the specific type of services provided by Roots. Roots says that no other group offers its low-priced, community-based exercise model. Scarborough-based Roots holds a number of health and well-being classes in the town and wider area, as well as in deprived areas of Doncaster, and aims to expand with funding to help tackle deprivation issues. Roots believes that there is a need for an inexpensive fitness product targeted towards people with health issues especially in deprived areas.

The respondents of the last Census (2011) were asked to rate their health and below are the results for Scarborough. The percentage of residents in Scarborough rating their health as 'very good' is less than the national average. The percentage of residents in Scarborough rating their health as 'very bad' is more than the national average, suggesting that the health of the residents of Scarborough is generally worse than in the average person in England.

HEALTH SCARBOROUGH NORTH YORKSHIRE ENGLANDVery Good 41.58% 47.72% 47.17%

Good 35.59% 34.48% 34.22%Fair 16.17% 13.17% 13.12%Bad 5.25% 3.63% 4.25%

Very Bad 1.41% 0.99% 1.25%

The Indices of Deprivation (2015) presented by North Yorkshire County Council (https://wa5.northyorks.gov.uk/JSNA/articles/indices-of-deprivation-summary) also shows that Lower layer Super Output Areas pockets of high levels of deprivation are in Scarborough, with three LSOAs in the town being among the most deprived 1% in England (ie Woodlands, Eastfield and Castle wards).

Scarborough continues to be the most deprived district in North Yorkshire for the Index of Multiple Deprivation. It is ranked 90th most deprived out of 326 lower tier local authorities, but it is relatively less deprived than in 2010, when it was in 83rd place. https://wa5.northyorks.gov.uk/JSNA/articles/north-yorkshires-joint-strategic-needs-assessment-2019/mental-health/

The percentage of people reporting depression or anxiety in North Yorkshire (13%) is significantly lower than the national average (14%) but the percentage of individuals reporting depression or anxiety increased by 2% in North Yorkshire from 2014/15 to 2016/17 – and Scarborough is the only district with a rate that is significantly higher than England, with 16% of people aged over 18 reporting anxiety or depression.

In 2018, average weekly earnings in Scarborough (£398) were significantly below England (£451) and Scarborough has one of the lowest weekly earnings compared with the other districts in North Yorkshire.

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The Doncaster area, which Roots also sees as a potential growth area to assist with its product, reflects similar deprivation issues. The respondents of the 2011 Census were asked to rate their health - the results for Doncaster Common are below. The percentage of residents in Doncaster Common rating their health as 'very good' is less than the national average. Also the percentage of residents in Doncaster Common rating their health as 'very bad' is more than the national average.

HEALTH DONCASTER ENGLANDVery Good 43.56% 47.17%

Good 34.05% 34.22%Fair 15.13% 13.12%Bad 5.62% 4.25%

Very Bad 1.64% 1.25%

The population of Doncaster Common as a whole, is older than the national average. The population of Doncaster Common is also older than the average.

AGE DONCASTER ENGLANDAge 0 to 4 6.4% 6.3%Age 5 to 9 5.7% 5.6%

Age 10 to14 5.8% 5.8%Age 15 to 17 3.9% 3.7%Age 18 to 24 8.8% 9.4%Age 25 to 29 6.7% 6.9%Age 30 to 44 19.3% 20.6%Age 45 to 59 20.5% 19.4%Age 60 to 64 6.2% 6%Age 65 to 74 9% 8.6%Age 75 to 84 5.8% 5.5%

Age 85 and over 2.1% 2.3%Mean Age 39.8 39.3

Median Age 40 3915

(v) Outputs: social values

The social mission of Roots aims to:

o increase the general health and well-being of people from disadvantaged communities rural areas in parts of Yorkshire

o provide low-cost chair-based exercise in community halls in accessible areas with a programme of simple exercises to assist balance, flexibility, desire for more activity

o base the sessions on that of a social event, sitting, chattingo reduce social isolation, a key element and core for the beneficiaries …

- because 2 million people in England over the age of 75 live alone and more than 1 million people say they can go for more than a month without speaking to a friend, neighbour or family member (Age UK)

- exercise is regarded as useful for people of all ages as weakness and balance are linked to inactivity rather than just age

- but older people are especially vulnerable to loneliness (due to retirement, loss of old friends or neighbours, disability - and many of the female attendees are widows of many years’ standing) and this can affect health and well-being

- Roots’ sessions are a significant way of overcoming loneliness and getting out of the house (the case studies below from people in their own words, confirm this)

- ageing is the gradual loss of the ability to take part in activities that once seemed effortless and the Roots’ portfolio of exercise can regain confidence in doing so (the case studies include the comments of attendees who were proud of their physical activity and sporting fitness when younger people)

The befriending aspect is core to the spirit of Roots. This manifests itself through relationship renewal and relationship creation, which makes for a happier elderly community - and also not just the elderly (see evidential support in the case studies):o people speak of how they know each other within the circle of Roots’ sessions at

different venues, and use the event to maintain connections and friendshipso people attend the session, arriving with friends at each event during the course of this

researcho people have made new friends within the circle of each session each locationo people are always referred to by their first name in the class interactivityo as the sessions are localised, they have become part of weekly routine leisure

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THE GROWING ROOTS

The Roots tutors develop a friendship with the attendees. One class complimented the efforts of a previous tutor to the tutor who had just held a session and who herself (Janette Town, director) was also thanked. This vignette in conversation with Janette sheds light on the social values: “One of the groups had organised a day out on the North York Moors Railway but one lady couldn’t go because her carer was unable to attend. So I said that I would take her. On the day, I was talking to some of the people and they were saying how wonderful the classes run by Roots were … they didn’t know who I was, out of context and not in class clothing. I said, ‘It’s me!’ We all laughed. A carer in another class actually gave me a bouquet. They are a wonderful bunch of people.”

“Doncaster council wants us to work with them more, and we could do more in Eastfield (Scarborough), and more Whitby classes. There is a need in Robin Hood’s Bay and for another class in Whitby.

“We could do a lot more classes if we can employ five more people. There is unlimited opportunity if we get funded and we would employ full-time or part-time. We have a 98-year-old attending, Hilda, which is fantastic and also a couple – her husband has dementia and it is a break for his wife but he really enjoys the session too and was laughing, he joins in.”

Accessibility and demographic targeting

At just £3 a session, the cost per attendee helps to ensure footfall and supports the concept that health, physical activity and well-being pursuit can be achieved without relatively expensive formal or private gym or sport membership commitment.

Attendees do not have to sign up for a length of attendance and only pay for sessions they can actually attend.

These are also important aspects to the social values:

o the tone in which the sessions are conducted, all people individually greeted by name as friends not members

o the scale and frequency of laughter is extra-ordinary as the activities proceed, with any minor mishap in ball-passing creating shared amusement

o attendees stay behind, sometimes 10-15 minutes after the end of the classo the sessions include long term unemployed people – their participation helps to reduce the

erosion of confidence

The success of Roots on its community aspect is based on the idea that people can take part in their own leisure without peer pressure.

It also supports ideas that healthy and physically active people feel that they are able to undertake more community activity eg the community engagement of some attendees at the Staithes sessions who discuss what they are planning in terms of village events and social history collection.

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(vi) Outputs: health values

The lifestyle intervention health-supporting bases of Roots are extensive. The sessions assist a range of conditions through confidence-building low-intensity movements in safe environments, which encourage flexibility, better core stability and enhancing cardiovascular activity:

o diabetes (type 2)o respiratory rehabilitation with classes on asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

(COPD)o rheumatoid arthritiso the chair-based exercise aids density and muscle strengthening, help for joints and

osteopathic conditionso obesityo muscular imbalance in hips, knees and shoulderso injury rehabilitation, especially for people who fall outside the remit of professional

physiotherapy or who have come to the end of their physiotherapy regimen but feel that they need further support

o non-specific lower back paino reduction of sedentary lifestyle and habit

Many people with a range of physical disabilities attend the Roots session, both temporary and chronic, and people with rare ailments which require temporary or ongoing hospital treatment. In doing so, Roots believes that it might assist hospitalisation reduction.

With the support of the social enterprise scheme at Scarborough-based Coast & Vale Community Action, contact was made the senior management of the York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust which facilitated attendance with an information stall for Roots at an open day at Scarborough Hospital, which helped to gain attention for more classes.

The role of Roots can also assist major problems such as falls as its sessions aid bone density and renew movement via gentle exercise.

Statistics by the Public Health Outcomes Framework published in 2019 by Public Health England for 2017-2018 states that there 1,748 people aged 65-79 admitted to hospital as emergencies due to falls, and 2,049 in Doncaster. These are lower than the average for England but indicate a need for extra support from the kind of community companies such as Roots. On one ward at Scarborough Hospital in January 2019, 50% of the female patients had suffered falls. Falls are a high cause of disability-adjusted life years (DALYS), with huge costs for social care.

The manner in which the sessions are conducted also assist mental health, with attendees including autism, brain injuries and other conditions such as:

o Post-traumatic stress disordero depressiono anxietyo lack of social confidence

This social impact research also witnessed many people with mental health issues happily conversing and laughing with other class attendees as they enjoyed the coming together in the scenario. Roots believes that exercise helps to increase endorphin and serotonin levels to assist a healthy outlet for stress as well as friendship-forming. 18

2. Case studies – Outcomes

Thank to everyone who so willingly took part in the interviews and case studies for this report …

(i) Scarborough: The benefits and outcomes for the individuals

In their own words: Mark’s Story

Mark Smith, 64 (10.11.56), single. Mark’s life was changed when he was in a serious accident and suffered head injuries 40 years ago in a 40ft fall and was in a coma. Lives in the centre of Scarborough. Works with Scarborough Disablement Action Group which created a position. Originally from County Durham. Used to play a lot of sport.

“The sessions are about getting to know one another. We can establish skills that we learn when we are children at school but as you get older or have disabilities, or for personal reasons, you need a reason to get out. It builds a framework.

“People get company to talk with. One action is to learn the skills of social interaction.

“There is a lot of laughing, a really enjoyable class. This particular session is good for activity and co-ordination.

“I used to do a lot of sport but as you get older, participation in sport gets less and less as does balance and co-ordination. People need a useful role that activities can bring.

“I have been a volunteer with DAG (Scarborough Disablement Action Group) for 15 years as a co-ordinator. Socialising is one of the main purposes – to bring our range of clients out from the home.

“I used to work in industry and manufacturing and play sport. I was a very active football player as a young man and that continued during my further education.”

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In their own words: Mikey’s Story

Michael (Mikey) Joyce, 34 (28.11.86), has a partner, lives Eastfield, originally from Normington, West Yorkshire. Two children.

Mikey has Nail-Patella syndrome which for Mikey causes aching problems in bulging joints such as elbows.

“I have done all sorts of jobs, done a lot, all sorts. I like sport – football, snooker.

“I mainly come for the exercise, only missed one session – all the group come along. Yes it has improved my general health.

“The socialising is good, we are all friends together. It makes you more social.”

In their own words: Carol’s Story

Carol Rollinson, 64 (22.10.56). Lives South Cliff, friend of Natalie Crawshaw who also attends. From Brighton, moved to Castleford in West Yorkshire.

Used to work in mental health, was a nurse in the care sector, and worked at a domestic violence in Castleford. She used to be

very active but is not fit for work now - but is not considered eligible to claim benefits.

Carol suffers from Stills (Adult-onset Still's Disease (AOSD) a relatively rare multi-system auto-inflammatory disorder of unknown cause. Symptoms can include high spiking fever,

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arthritis in multiple joints, enlarged lymph nodes, rashes, sore throat, an elevated white blood cell count and raised blood markers for inflammation and more).

“I have been to all 12 sessions here, to meet new people and improve my health and I have joined other classes at The Street.

“I’m a social person anyway. I have Stills which affects one in about 100,000 women and I need to be on medication. I still have lapses. The exercise helps.

“I don’t like just sitting and vegetating. It helps to go out, to improve your health.

“I used to go to the gym five times a week and walked everywhere. I am out of work at the moment due to my health.”

In their own words: Natalie’s Story

Natalie Crawshaw, 33 (06.11.87), attends the session with friend Carol (above). Lives South Cliff, originally from Doncaster. Natalie is a carer/activities co-ordinator at a private care home. “I attend with a friend and the social aspect of the group we find quite energising.

“It has definitely encouraged me to do more health activity on my days off. It helps physically and mentally.” 21

(ii) Whitby: The benefits and outcomes for the individuals

In their own words: Hilda’s Story

Hilda Wray, 98 (30.01.22). The oldest but not the least fit of the Roots attendees. Hilda lives in Whitby but has lived all over the country. When she left the ATS (Auxiliary Territorial Service) in 1943

Some of the Whitby attendees, Church House

Hilda Wray, now aged 98 … ‘suitable for re-enrolment’

for family reasons, private W/116885 Wray, the discharge certificate recorded “good military conduct” and “suitable for re-enrolment”.

“I spent 14 years in Africa and taught English and history. I had 4 children but my oldest and youngest have died. I now have a son and daughter, three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

“I have attended about seven classes and I attend because I know I need to exercise and I love the social aspect of the class. I am a trustee of Whitby Disablement Action Group. I enjoyed theatre, both amateur and professional, as well as art.

“I used to love dancing and really miss that. The classes encourage me to make the effort to get out.”

In their own words: Betty’s Story

Betty (Elizabeth) Cooper, 83 (01.02.1937), a widow for the past 10 years following the death of her husband, a captain in the merchant navy. Lives Whitby, retired 20 years ago. Lives in her own home and was a long-distance walker as a young woman:

“I am born and bred in Whitby. I lived in Robin Hood’s Bay for 40 years for family reasons. I was a midwife for 30 years in Whitby and Scarborough. Yes, I must have delivered hundreds of babies. I also worked as a district nurse.

“I used to go the sports centre but stopped. My legs were hurting when walking so it was hard. I started these classes last October, with DAG (Whitby Disablement Action Group). I go crown green

bowling, I used to go all over with the over-60s … Bridlington, Robin Hood’s Bay … I have three children aged 60, 59 and 58.

“These classes are definitely social. I had given up. You do feel better when you get back home; I’d like the classes to be twice a week. You definitely get out of the house more and I have met new friends.

“My general health is not bad. It’s just my legs … my hip has arthritis but it’s not bad.

“The cost is reasonable, cheap. I walk here but leg hurts, I can’t go up hills.

“When I was younger, I kept fit. I walked from Robin Hood’s Bay to Scarborough (16 miles, more than five hours one way) and I walked with friends – there were three of us, we used to go 20 miles walking. The other ladies have died. I also used to go on walking holidays … Switzerland, Austria, the Italian Dolomites … it was lovely on top of those mountains.

“Yes it is very frustrating now. I don’t like going out anywhere now on my own; I take the dog for a walk to Ruswarp.

“The social bit here is fantastic.”

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In their own words: Hazel’s Story

Hazel Thomas, 78 (04.09.42), a widow who used to work at RAF Fylingdales in the telex department. Lives Whitby and is very lively with many interests. Hazel is good friends with Karen Spoors, 48, who also attends.

“We need exercise. It is a benefit to us in our old age. It is a good thing to do.

“I benefit from this and I have been attending since it started. I saw a poster about it. I always had lots of jobs. We have the golf course at West Cliff and I have three grandchildren.

“I was a Wakefield girl, and we left when I was eight. My mum bought a Victorian guest house, five floors, and I’m still in it. It’s holiday flats now for just one. I like history and local history, and I have been to Hadrian’s Wall. I have a son at home – he’s a chef who doesn’t like food! and others in Melbourne, Australia. My daughter was in the RAF and she lives in Ashby-de-la Zouch – people in Whitby think that somewhere abroad.

“I can’t spend life watching TV. I go to talks. I enjoy the gentle exercise. It encourages me to lose a bit of weight but I’m pretty healthy.

“I have met June and Edward here. I feel more relaxed after the class and I walk home.”

In their own words: Karen’s Story

Karen Spoors, 48 (18.10.72). Has children aged 26 to 17. Lives Whitby. Suffers from seizures following a stroke.

“Before I took ill, I worked in a primary school as an assistant and supervisor. I lived in Derby but had a stroke when I was 38. I had physio and yes I have recovered quite well but was having seizures and I have medication for that.

“I didn’t know Whitby before. Hazel told me about me about the class. We made friends when I moved here. I used to play pool and I like listening to music.

“The class is good for social interaction, some people would like additional classes. It’s good support. I would be upset if it closed. It doesn’t matter what age you are, you can get fit.

“It encourages me to take part, to go to the classes. I don’t know of any other groups. I have met other people here. Yes I feel good after the classes. I would like stand-up exercises more. I am improving my balance and walking, recommended by the physio. I walked here and £3 is a fair price.”

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In their own words: Nona’s Story

Nona Laughton, 58 (04.02.62). Five children aged 37-19, all away from home although three live in Whitby. Uses community transport to attend the classes. Was a care assistant for several years. Nona is a singer (Whitby community choir) and brownie guider (tawny owl), a member of the Mother’s Union and other groups and plays the piccolo and other instruments.

(Poor left shoulder, not able to do some of the exercises).

“I am from an army family, we were in Singapore and came to England when I was aged two. We have lived across the country and came to Whitby because my sister had a home here. I have attended five classes. I like knitting and craft (card-making) for family and friends.

“The class has a different group of people. I like the social impact more than the physical.

“I know it’s a benefit. It is definitely worthwhile. I have osteoarthritis in my spine, it’s painful and I need medication.

“Some of the exercises here expand my lung capacity.

“Nona? It’s Latin … I was the ninth child.”

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(iii) Staithes: The benefits and outcomes for the individuals

In their own words: Veronica’s Story

Veronica Foster, 81 (04.12.39), widow. Nineteen grandchildren. Came with her parents to Staithes in 1957 from near Stockton; “I thought it was the end of the world”.

“It is just good to be out of the house. It is a good laugh; the exercise is secondary, the laughter is really the main thing. You feel physically better when you leave – not just with the exercise but the conversation.

“I have seven children and 19 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

“I worked until I was married and then became a clerk for ICI, a school and then the Co-op where I worked in the pharmacy in the village. I do Chat & Craft, knitting for charities and I play dominoes. I am secretary of the village hall management committee.

“I have liked to stay active, walking in the countryside … but I have just been diagnosed with polymyalgia (rheumatica, a condition that causes pain, stiffness and inflammation in the muscles around the shoulders, neck or hips) and the exercise class helps.”

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In their own words: Pat’s Story

Pat Hopkinson, 84 (18.10.36), originally from Dewsbury and was a college secretary at Batley, and has also been a secretary at East Barnby.

“I like the exercise and social aspect and have attended most weeks. The sessions I have improved by health. I was always active and healthy as a younger person. But I have a heart problem now.

“I think it is good, to get out of the house, and I am also still driving.

“I welcome it. I think it is very good. We used to have a class before but it fell through and I really missed it.

“I have two boys and seven grandchildren.”

In their own words: Winifred’s Story

Winifred Craig, 85 (26.06.34), widow, two sons although one son died. Four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. From a fishing family and used to live in Africa.

“The class helps you to get out of the house. It has given me an insight into what the aches and pains are caused by and led me to understand more about exercise and how your body controls your

aches and pains. I know most of the people who come here. I was diagnosed with in June with mild diabetes and I am controlling it by what I eat. I also have a thyroid problem.

“I was born and bred in the village of Staithes. We lived in Africa from 1963 to 1981, in Nigeria and Uganda. My husband was a mechanical engineer, an auto transmissions specialist. I was a nursery nurse in Nigeria.

“I also used to work as a tailoress in Skelton and at a remand home for boys aged eight to 16 in Middlesbrough. Looking back now, they had done next to nothing wrong.

“I worked for 19 years at St Catherine’s charity shop in Whitby and I studied for an Open University degree in Health.”

In their own words: Patricia’s Story

Patricia Turner, 82, married. Lives Port Mulgrave. Born Hull and moved to Staithes in 1986. Two daughters and two grandchildren in Hull.

“It’s good to get with people, it’s great and the exercises are beneficial. For me it’s more like a social thing. If you have not seen anyone all week, it is good. I look forward to coming. It’s quite social and we have a good laugh.

“You feel better when you get home.

“I have attended nearly every week. As a younger person, I was very active and did a lot of walking but now I have GB syndrome (Guillain-Barre syndrome) which affects my feet now. It just came on. I get very tired so doing this class is good for me, and I have two leaky heart valves.

“The class is not exhausting, it is easy for our age group but there is this loneliness thing, when people are on their own. It is something to go out for.

“You feel part of the community when you get out.

“Yes it does create conversation.

“When I get home my husband (86) says ‘How did you get on?’ I’ll say so-and-so was there and so-and-so wasn’t.”

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(iv) Outcomes key points: social cohesion and inclusion

Laughter … “is the best medicine in the world” (Milton Berle); “A day without laughter is a day wasted” (Charlie Chaplin); “Always laugh when you can. It is cheap medicine” (Lord Byron)

Exercise … enhances or maintains overall wellness and also enjoyment.

In this context, below is an excerpt part-way into a typical Roots exercise session with low-level obstacle course comprising cones, ladder placed on the floor, resistance bands on each chair, tennis and small football, light music in the background, some people shoeless.

This illustration was recorded in real-time in January 2020 at the Whitby session at Church House, attendees sitting in a circle:

Tutor: Let’s now march from a seated position while holding a football, lifting your feet off the floor … then throw the ball to each other …

LAUGHTER

Tutor: Change direction …

LAUGHTER

Tutor: Now let’s try, while seated, a dog-paddle swimming action

LAUGHTER

During the exercise, an attendee makes a comment about the day’s news items – sparking a discussion and all join in with an opinion

LAUGHTER

Tutor: With both hands, hold your resistance band under your foot, raise your foot, try to point your toes to the ceiling for 1, 2, 3 seconds

Tutor: … change feet

LAUGHTER

Tutor: … We’re repeating the exercise … until we all do it right!

LAUGHTER

Tutor: Holding the band in front of you, raise it overhead and down the back of your shoulders, five times

Attendee: … I’ve lost count

LAUGHTER

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Tutor: … If you don’t listen …

LAUGHTER

Tutor: Stretch the band across your chest to work your inner muscles … gentle exercises these …

Attendee: … Are they?

LAUGHTER

Tutor: Sit on your stretch band …

Attendee: … Is that it?

LAUGHTER

Tutor: No! Now lift the bands with both hands …

LAUGHTER

Tutor: Stretch the band behind your back …

Attendee: I had a bit of a sweat on - before we started …

LAUGHTER

During the course of this session, there was also cross banter about the war (attack on Iran), events at the weekend, family updates and other social connections.

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THE SOCIAL & HEALTH VALUES AND IMPACT … Tutor’s commentary on the social and health values, following an hour-long Roots exercise session:

“We are about action and intervention. We adapt the sessions for the group and for individuals within the session.

“We can’t afford to do more until we get funds. Even personally, I get a lot out of it too.

“People can come for a week without paying – a taster session. A lot depends on the age and dexterity of people and the size of the room. But I keep it as inclusive as possible – not having exercises that might exclude some in the circle.

“Some people prefer chairs with arms and I remember that. The resistance bands work inner muscles. They look very simple don’t they but they are one of the best pieces of kit you can have, very versatile. Doubling the band can be harder. We use yellow bands for starters, and move to green ones.

“Simon starts with greens bands when doing the corporate and then moves on to different tensiles.

“We now also have between four new members with special needs from Dalewood (Dalewood Trust Whitby, a charitable trust established in 1981, offering support services for adults with learning disabilities living in the Whitby area). The carers think it is important for them to mix with other people outside their group.

“Whitby DAG (disability) group asked us to run a class at Hinderwell and Staithes. Hinderwell didn’t take off for whatever reason but in the first week at Staithes we had 15 people and they have mostly been coming back since. Scarborough Disablement Action Group asked us to run sessions too, and they are held at The Street.

“I have osteoarthritis in my knees and fingers, and I’m taking half the painkillers since taking the exercise classes.

In summary, the social impact of Roots has demonstrated significant community outcomes for individuals and could multiply its social and health benefits by:

o Encouraging friendshipso Improving the quality of life and making people feel bettero Increasing community engagemento Reducing isolation and creating conversationo Enhancing health and relieving symptomso Helping disabled people and people with chronic ill-healtho Creating laughter and socialisation on an extra-ordinary scale

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3. Growth plans

(i) Reporting Framework

Roots will conduct regular monitoring which is essential for the effectiveness of its project management and the role two experienced non-executive directors with wider financial and business backgrounds assist this process with scrutiny and advice.

Roots would supply reports on progressions and plans next steps. With extra funding, Roots would advance the level of data-gathering and tracking progress against budget for both its community and corporate dimensions.

The business is currently home-based for its outreach community programme (and with a meeting venue in Leeds for its corporate plan).

Operational:

Scarborough address: 131 Columbus Ravine, Scarborough, North Yorkshire YO12 7QZ

Registered office: St Paul’s House, 23 Park Square, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS1 2SP

https://www.rootsofyggdrasil.co.uk/

info@rootsofyggdrasil.co.uk

Board membership:

Simon Town (managing director). Duties include overseeing the running of the company

Janette Town (director). Duties include overseeing day-to-day cash flow and administration, and running the community classes

Dennis Town (director). Duties include monitoring the internal structures of the company, website management and health and safety

Keith Madeley MBE (non-executive director). Financial management professional, past chairman of the Yorkshire Society, experienced business renown.

David Thompson (non-executive director). Experienced financial background. Chartered accountant FCA, HonFLeedsCM.

The corporate strategy of Roots is also being expanded and the growth of this dimension would add value to the entire company’s output. Office and desk-based health schemes are being developed primarily for West Yorkshire and the Leeds business community in particular; this would help the longer term sustainability for the CIC, generating income that would also cover the community classes.

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(ii) Expansion strategy

The Roots board believes that it can achieve significantly greater outcomes and greater social value across several areas.

This would be achieved through support greater effectiveness and more resources for extra staffing and classes to help more people.

The community objective is to significantly expand the grassroots offering by increasing the frequency, number and geographic expansion.

With the support of funds and greater promotion, Roots believes there is demand and opportunity for:

Partnership expansion

o More partnership with the NHS, preventative support and the need to maintain the health and well-being of an older workforce; encouraging GPs to be able to encourage more exercise referral schemes to local providers

o More opportunities in the sphere of local health prescribing; with the better value options provided by Roots

o More engagement with the care home sector which is being given greater attention by the government … with potential for Roots to secure contracts. Efforts are already underway to connect with Scarborough care group owners. There are 400,000 people living in care homes nationally.

Demographic opportunity

More classes in Scarborough (eg Castle ward (the most deprived area in North Yorkshire), Eastfield, Falsgrave), Filey, Whitby and villages, and Robin Hood’s Bay. In the deprived areas of Doncaster, where Roots wishes to re-launch its activities, Roots believes its form of provision would be welcomed in Thorne and Moorend, Armthorpe, Bessecarr Cantley, Adwick le Street and Carcroft, Edenthorpe and Kirk Sandall, Finningley, Hatfield,Hexthorpe and Balby North, Mexborough, Norton and Askern, Rossington and Bawtry,Sprotborough and Cusworth, Staniforth and Barnby Dun, Tickhill and Wadsworth, working inconjunction with Doncaster council.

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o Better targeting of demographic changes (eg ageing population) and the need to maintain the health and well-being of an older workforce

o Geographic expansion in North Yorkshire

o Geographic expansion in South Yorkshire

o Targeting the poorer groups within the deprived areas who are less community-active

Strategic development

o Community exercise class sponsorships

o Deepening the social value sessions by celebrating clients’ birthdays, milestones or anniversary of class attendances, welcome messages/letters/ emails

o Holding public demonstrations of community exercises eg on the beach (with borough council permission) or for example at libraries or shopping centres in each area, with complimentary taster examples of the kind of services provided, and with leaflets and classes information provided

o Extra potential in targeting clubs and organisations in direct approaches to offer group sessions or to invite the members to join current Roots classes. Groups could include the WI groups in the area, Rotary clubs, Lions clubs, WEA and adult education groups, walking groups

o More benchmarking and numerical and health issue data and targeting eg reaching people and demographics who are less likely to attend classes or who might feel that they are unable to attend.

Produced for Roots of Yggdrasil 2020 by ©Four Tigers Media Ltd

Roots of Yggdrasil CIC: Social Investment Impact Report