The driving force to help keep us moving!

Jonathan and his Green Street Car Sales generously provide a car for our home visits to patients who can’t make it into the clinic. This is a crucial lifeline, helping people become more mobile who otherwise couldn’t access treatment.

It’s much harder to leave the house in bad weather, so his generosity is exceptional, and I am incredibly grateful.

Remarkably, he had only seen me as a patient a couple of times before deciding he wanted to help others by donating the use of the car. Since then, our friendship has grown and we’ve even been for a few drinks.

During the winter, requests for home visits always increase, particularly from elderly residents who struggle to leave the house.

The long, warm summer we just had was fantastic for getting people out and about – even those with mobility issues found themselves more active in the better conditions.

It naturally encourages you to get out with friends or walk the dog. In fact, one of the best examples I saw was through one of our associate partnerships, St Francis FC, who organised a 10-pub crawl. 

I actually applaud that because there is a lot of walking involved!

Now that the days are darker, colder and icier, finding motivation is harder. 

We have to try to get people into new routines, whether that’s simply helping them reach the shop for a paper or getting them out to walk the dog.

For those who are already active, we encourage them to swap a walk for a run, or we point them toward a gym – especially with so many great deals around.

The key is to do what suits you.

These home visits often lead to incredible connections. 

One standout example who became a good friend was Mary O’Connor, who sadly passed away last year. Mary was the sister of Michael Gough Snr.

I originally got a phone call from an 01429 number – which usually means an older person or a school ringing me.

I went out to see Mary and wanted to help her straight away.

She was instantly likeable. She was keen, listened to everything I said, got her confidence back, and did all of her exercises.

While I was treating her, I realised she was from the Gough family, so we would chat about that all the time.

She usually loved having her exercises written down on a sheet of paper to follow.

But I went round one particular day, and she said, “I don’t want to do this, I’m not in the mood.” She had lost her husband and it hit her hard.

I told her to put the kettle on and we’d have a cuppa instead. She was heartbroken about something, so we simply sat and chatted.

A week later, I went back, and she was like a different woman – doing all her exercises and buzzing with energy.

I was completely gutted when she passed away. Her brother John Gough rang me and Mike Gough came to see me. 

Mary stands out as someone who left a lasting impression on me, and she made me realise just how important these home visits can be for people’s well-being.

I don’t heavily advertise our home visits, instead, I mostly get contacted by readers of this very column in Hartlepool Life.

I always try to encourage people to come to the clinic first, as getting out of the house is a big step towards recovery. 

But if it simply isn’t possible, I am there to come to them.

Looking back, it was an eventful summer and I just want to mention how special it was to see my son Liam get married. I was one proud dad. 

Here’s to keeping moving and staying connected this winter!