People across Jersey are finding that gentle, seated workouts and laughter yoga are delivering real improvements in both physical fitness and mental wellbeing. The free sessions, run by the community initiative Laugh, Move & Groove, travel to local centres and care homes, offering participants a low‑impact way to stay active while fostering social connections. The programme’s success has earned it a place on the shortlist for the BBC Radio Jersey Make a Difference Awards, with the winners due to be announced on 14 September 2026.
Bringing Movement to Vulnerable Residents
Laugh, Move & Groove operates as a not‑for‑profit collective that partners with a range of charities to ensure its activities are inclusive of people with diverse physical abilities. Each class is designed to be performed while seated, making it accessible for older adults, those with mobility issues, or individuals recovering from illness. The sessions are held in community centres such as St Ouen’s Parish Hall and a variety of care homes, allowing the organisers to reach people who might otherwise find it difficult to attend traditional exercise classes. By moving the programme to these venues, the group removes barriers to participation and encourages regular engagement.
The curriculum blends gentle stretching, light resistance work, and laughter yoga techniques. Laughter yoga, a practice that combines intentional giggling with breathing exercises, is incorporated to stimulate both the body and mind. Participants are guided through movements that can be performed from a chair, with modifications offered to suit varying levels of strength and flexibility. The approach is informed by basic principles of physical therapy, ensuring that each exercise supports joint health, circulation, and muscle tone without placing excessive strain on the participant.
Testimonial: Linda Crawford’s Transformation
Linda Crawford, a regular attendee at the St Ouen’s venue, began the classes nine months ago and has noticed a marked change in how she feels. “I want to keep as fit as I possibly can,” she explains. “I thought it was sitting down so it wouldn’t be very strenuous, but it is very strenuous.” For Linda, the physical effort translates into a calmer mind. “Because my body feels it’s moved a lot, my mind feels calm as well.” She describes the overall impact as “enormous,” noting that the programme has helped people on many different levels, especially those with physical restrictions that limit their movement.
From a medical perspective, the combination of light exercise and laughter yoga can improve mood by releasing endorphins, enhance respiratory function through controlled breathing, and support cardiovascular health with modest activity. For individuals with limited mobility, seated exercises are known to reduce the risk of muscle atrophy and improve joint flexibility, which aligns with Linda’s experience of feeling more active and mentally balanced.
Social Connections and Friendship
Beyond the physical benefits, the classes serve as a vital social hub. Jackie Turner, one of the volunteers who leads the sessions, emphasises the communal atmosphere. “It’s just a fun environment and you can see that people enjoy it because it’s a different way of exercising,” she says. “It’s also about the friendships and the social aspects as well because as you get older, sometimes the social aspects of your life fall away a little bit.”
The informal grouping encourages participants to interact, share experiences, and support one another. This sense of belonging can be particularly valuable for older adults who may feel isolated. Research indicates that social engagement is a key determinant of health in later life, influencing everything from cognitive function to immune response. By creating a space where laughter and movement go hand in hand, Laugh, Move & Groove addresses both the physical and psychosocial dimensions of wellbeing.
Recognition and Future Outlook
The impact of Laugh, Move & Groove’s work has not gone unnoticed. The initiative has been shortlisted for the BBC Radio Jersey Make a Difference Awards, an honour that highlights community‑driven projects making a tangible difference. The awards ceremony will take place on 14 September 2026, and the team is hopeful that a win will provide additional resources to expand the programme’s reach.
Should the group receive funding, plans include developing specialised sessions for individuals with specific health conditions, such as arthritis or post‑stroke recovery. The organisers also intend to collaborate with local health providers to integrate the classes into broader wellness programmes, ensuring that the benefits are maximised for the island’s residents. This forward‑looking approach reflects a commitment to sustainable, community‑based health promotion.
Why it Matters
The success of seated exercise and laughter yoga initiatives like Laugh, Move & Groove underscores a broader truth: accessible, enjoyable physical activity can be a powerful tool for enhancing health across the lifespan. In an ageing society, where mobility challenges and social isolation are growing concerns, programmes that combine gentle movement with communal laughter offer a dual solution. They not only help maintain muscle strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular health but also nurture the mental resilience that comes from social connection. By recognising and supporting such community‑led efforts, Jersey demonstrates a proactive stance on public health—one that values inclusivity, prevents disease, and enriches the quality of life for all its citizens.
