A PHYSIOTHERAPY expert who suffered a debilitating head injury as a teenager hopes her new rehabilitation group will “brighten up people’s lives with a bit of sunshine”.
Elizabeth Ratcliffe, 45, from Bradfield, has just launched the Musement group alongside her supportive dad Terry, who is in his 70s.
The community afternoons, which run every Thursday at Bradfield Village Hall, are primarily for the elderly, but also anyone who has a neurological deficit.
The social sessions boast everything from sing-alongs, hop scotch and jig-saws to simply activities such as playing catch with colourful balls and throwing bean bags.
Elizabeth, who describes the relaxed group classes as “fun chaos”, says the aim is to boost wellbeing through positive and colourful interactions.
She said: “This is something that has been brewing for some time – I have the ability to motivate and bring the best out of people, it is what I have done for 22 years.
“I want to spread joy and happiness and brighten up people’s lives with a little bit of sunshine and positivity – there are so many people who need a little life in their lives.
“Everyone has been coming and enjoying what they want to enjoy and it is definitely proving popular so far, they are just happy to be out doing something different.”
Elizabeth, who worked as a physiotherapy assistant for the NHS but chose not to return after the pandemic, knows all too well the importance of rehabilitative support.
When she was just 15 she was put in a coma after being in a collision with a car and suffering a serious head injury before having to learn how to talk, eat and walk all over again.
The mother-of-three said: “Parents of friends who know my story have been coming along and I can really feel the love.
“I have had a bloke with Parkinson’s doing hop scotch and there has been lots of other little achievements - I just want to show them they can do these things.
“It is all absolute silliness really, but they love it and it is proving popular so far but I want to build it because I have so many creative ideas in my head.”
To find out more information or to volunteer visit facebook.com/musement.community.
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