At Viewpoint Housing Association, we know that good housing is about more than bricks and mortar—it is about creating opportunities for tenants to live well, stay active, and feel part of a community.
Thanks to support from the Viewpoint Trust and in partnership with FitCare Scotland, we run weekly exercise sessions for older tenants across Edinburgh. With transport provided, these sessions bring people together for physical activity, laughter, and friendship.
Led by instructor John Carstairs, the sessions focus on strength, balance, and mobility, while also giving tenants the confidence to enjoy life to the full. Over the past year, the project has shown that housing providers can play a vital role in tackling isolation and promoting wellbeing by working with partners and tenants.
Challenges
Many older tenants told us they felt nervous about keeping active, especially during winter months, when poor weather and icy conditions increase the risk of falls. Mobility issues and lack of confidence also meant that for some, even leaving home was difficult.
Another challenge was ensuring the sessions were accessible. By arranging transport, we removed one of the biggest barriers to participation. The exercises themselves also had to be adapted to suit a wide range of abilities, which John achieved by designing flexible routines.
Successes
The results have been hugely positive:
- Improved physical wellbeing: Tenants have reported better balance, strength, and stamina, with noticeable improvements in mobility and pain management.
- Boosted confidence: By practising exercises in a safe, supportive space, tenants have gained confidence to move more freely outdoors, even in winter.
- Friendships and community: The sessions have created new social connections, reducing loneliness and building a sense of belonging.
- Partnership working: The partnership between Viewpoint, the Viewpoint Trust, and FitCare Scotland demonstrates how housing providers and local partners can work together to deliver tangible health and wellbeing benefits.
As John explains:
“We put these sessions together so that not only do we gain strength and mobility but we also gain balance and confidence in what we do. That gives us freedom and removes the fear from walking outside, especially during the winter seasons.”
And for John, it’s about more than exercise:
“This class is community, it’s fun, it’s friendship… it’s good to listen to their stories and share mine with them. It’s about giving something back.”
Tenants echo this sentiment, describing the sessions as uplifting, enjoyable, and life-changing.
Supporting Information