ESTABLISHED IN 1976
Our purpose is to provide quality assured training, accredited qualifications and best practice advice for our teachers of recreational exercise to music for the over-sixties and those less able of any age.
EXTEND is a Registered Charity. It is managed by trustees, appointed because of their special expertise, together with EXTEND officers from the Executive Committee. The trustees attend 3-4 meetings per year including the AGM (held annually in the month of April).
The trustees have appointed a Training Development Committee who also meet 3-4 times per year. These meetings are less formal and are attended by the Regional Officers, who are Area Administrators, Course Directors and Area Directors of Development. The Regional Area Directors of Development and Course Directors co-ordinate quality assured training courses and provide post qualification Continual Professional Development well as any additional support to teachers throughout the UK.
EXTEND has roots in exercise, health, movement and dance. Participants are encouraged to ‘keep fit’ because they know it is good for them to exercise. It is also fun, an opportunity to meet people, it is stimulating, it encourages a sense of well being, personal satisfaction and achievement.
How is EXTEND acheiving financial independence?
EXTEND operates 'Friendships' for individuals who wish to support the work of EXTEND financially, this is our primary source of Gift Aid funding. Please visit our Sponsorship and Fundraising page, click on individuals for more information .
EXTEND is interested in working with both public and private organisations, as an example we formed a partnership with Leisure Connection and Lincolnshire PCT. Please visit our Sponsorship and Fundraising page and click on organisations for further details on this and other partnerships/projects.
EXTEND produces an annual newsletter keeping everyone informed of recent developments within the organisation this publication is called the Prime Times. If you would like to receive a copy please contact head office or download a copy from our News & Events page.
A Bi-Annual Review is published to promote and 'showcase' the work of EXTEND, its acheivements and targets for future projects. Please contact us for a copy.
We are an organisation, which has developed over the years through the support and enterprise of many hundreds of volunteers who have undergone our 12-day teacher-training course. Not only do we depend on the support and also the goodwill of our volunteers but we are also dependent on continual donations and grants to support our cause.
It is clear that the work of EXTEND performs a useful and vital service to older people and those less able of any age. The physical, mental and social benefits bestowed on their groups by EXTEND trained teachers speak for themselves. By significantly improving and maintaining the health and well being of otherwise frail people, EXTEND reduces public expenditure by health and social departments throughout the UK.
On a final note we appreciate those of you who support our work financially. The recession is inevitably putting a strain on charities. As we seek to meet the increasing needs of the elderly and less able of any age, we'd like to thank everyone for their ongoing support to EXTEND. We really couldn't do it with out the loyal supporters of EXTEND.
REPS
EXTEND Teachers are accredited through The Register of Exercise Professionals (REPS).
Diploma Teachers are now able to join REPs with the registration status of “Level 3 EXTEND Teachers”, and will enjoy all of the rights and benefits of this recognition as full members. If they also hold other exercise and fitness qualifications these will be added to their status of registration. For further information please visit the Training Section.
Sport and Recreation Alliance (Formally the CCPR)
EXTEND is a member of the Sport and Recreation Alliance an umbrella body of over 300 national governing bodies of sport and recreation across the UK. Click here for the home page
The Sport and Recreation Alliance promotes the interests of sport and recreation, they campaign on issues affecting National Governing Bodies of sport and recreation.
EXTEND is part of the Movement and Dance Division please click here for the Movement and Dance Divisional page.
Tracy Levy is the representative for EXTEND.
DIVERSITY
EXTEND 'fits in' to its local community, embracing language and cultural differences as a matter of course. In Surrey it is as natural as the W.I. and in predominantly Asian or Afro-Caribbean neighbourhoods it 'struts its stuff' to Raga or Reggae. This naturalness and inclusivity rapidly overcomes the reticence of newcomers and folds them into a stimulating, happy, shared event, which could just become a life-extending experience. Due to the nature and the work of EXTEND the classes and teachers work in partnership with the local communities. EXTEND teachers are able to plan and deliver classes to suit the physical and cultural needs of their participants in relation to their locality and general geographical demand.
