Keeping Sharp

Fun and sociable exercise classes for older people at the Marie Lloyd Centre in Hackney

Keeping Sharp brings together older people from Hackney and beyond for weekly exercise classes, offering fun and companionship whilst keeping active and healthy. We can also help with the costs of exercising.

Our classes focus on strength, balance, flexibility and coordination, which all help to reduce older people’s risk of falling.

It’s never too late to start exercising. Even light activity brings health benefits compared to sitting down.

All Keeping Sharp classes take place at the Marie Lloyd Centre in Hackney (329 Queensbridge Road, E8 3LA).

The class timetable is:

  • Mondays, 12-1pm: Dance

  • Mondays, 2.30-3.30pm: Chi Kung

  • Tuesdays, 11-12pm: Strength & Balance

  • Tuesdays, 12.30-1.30pm: Pilates (beginners)

  • Tuesdays, 3.30-4.30pm: Mindful Movement (based on the Feldenkrais method and most suited to people who are comfortable with mat-based exercise)

  • Wednesdays, 1-2pm: Chair-based exercise

  • Thursdays, 1.30-2.30pm: Stretch and coordination

Keeping Sharp classes ore open to anybody over 50. You don’t need to sign up or book in advance, just turn up on the day. The classes are offered on a first come, first served basis.

All classes are free to attend with a suggested donation of £3 per class for anyone who can afford it and would like to contribute.

Download the timetable

We may be able to help some inactive but motivated older people with the financial costs of exercising.

If you’re currently not exercising much and costs are preventing you from exercising as much as you’d like to, we may be able to help. We have a bursary that could help cover the costs of exercising, for example by covering:

  • Transport costs, including taxis if these are the only practical option

  • The costs of replacement care for people with caring responsibilities

  • The cost of appropriate clothing, shoes or equipment

  • Anything else that is posing a financial barrier.

To apply for financial help, please complete the application form below and send it to ks@mrsindependentliving.org.

We’ll take into account your current level of physical activity and financial situation when determining whether we can help.

Apply for financial help

Frequently asked questions

  • Keeping Sharp classes are for all over 50s, particularly people who aren’t very active in their day-to-day lives.

  • All classes are held at the Marie Lloyd Centre in Hackney (329 Queensbridge Road, E8 3LA. The Centre is on the 236 bus route - look for stops on or near Middleton Road.

  • Thanks to a grant from the London Marathon Foundation, we’re able to offer most of those classes for free. We do welcome donations of £3 per class for anyone who can afford it, as this helps us put on extra classes, socials etc that aren’t covered by the grant.

    Intermediate Pilates is currently the only class which has a charge, and the cost is £3 per class.

  • Just turn up! Classes are offered on a first come, first served basis. No need to refer or get in touch before the class, unless you have questions.

    At the first class you’ll be asked to complete a registration form so we can gather your details and some information about you.

  • You certainly can, in fact, it’s encouraged!

    All over 65s should be aiming to do at least two sessions of strength and balance per week.

  • We might be able to help with the costs associated with exercising if you’re an inactive older person but someone who’s motivated to be more active.

    The costs we can help with include (not exhaustive!):

    • Taxis, if that’s the only way you could get to class.

    • A minibus, if there is a small group who wants to come together from the same/similar location.

    • Public transport, if you’re on a low income.

    • Replacement care, if you have caring responsibilities.

    • Any other costs that you would need to pay for in order to attend class.

    The first step to accessing financial help is to complete the application form and tell us a little bit about yourself and your situation. Please send the form to ks@mrsindependentliving.org and we’ll get in touch.

    If you’d like to discuss or ask something before applying, please contact us on 0330 380 1013.

Contact us

To find out more about the classes or the possibility of accessing financial help to attend, please get in touch using this form or the details below.

ks@mrsindependentliving.org
0330 380 1013

Funded by