For this project, Gloucestershire Rural Community Council focused on working with a cohort where successful work had happened previously, looking to work with individuals who are socially isolated and anxious.
Gloucestershire Rural Community Council, Freelance Tai Chi tutors, Older People’s Hub, Cotswolds Integrated Locality Partnership (ILP), Social Prescribers.
Primary Care data was used from Business Intelligence dashboards, feeding in from on-going Deprived Wards work.
Gloucestershire Rural Community Council used social determinants and rural, isolated wards within the Cotswolds to identify individuals who are socially isolated and anxious. Individuals were identified through GP practices, social prescribers who sign posted and word of mouth. Typically, individuals were 55+, but the key drivers were those in isolated wards with social isolation and anxiety.
Once individuals had been identified, 6 free seated and standing indoor and outdoor Tai Chi sessions took place, with capacity for approx 15-20 people per class. In addition, strength and balance classes were offered, photography walks and nature walks at arboretums. Classes also focused on teaching people better digital skills. Courses have run continuously since summer 2025, with high demand.
The Warwickshire Edinburgh Scale (WEMHWBS) scale has been used to assess the impact of activities. Tai Chi classes have been evaluated before and after the 6 week course, whilst nature and photography walks were evaluated from feedback surveys before and after. The picture above demonstrates some key quotes from individuals collected as part of evaluation.
Courses are on-going and have been running continuously since summer 2025. In some cases, Tai Chi classes have waiting lists. There is potential in the future for this work to be scaled-up and be replicated in other areas.