Step Forward With Lewis CIC

16/10/2026

Today, we want to say a huge thank you to Northamptonshire Community Foundation!

Thanks to their generous grant funding, we will be starting a new project in November, aimed at building community and friendship among older people.

Our strength and balance classes have taught us the importance of giving people a chance to catch up, have a tea or coffee and a chat, and create the kind of connections that isolation can put at risk as people get older.

But we wanted to go one step further. And so, we'll be launching special community sessions in Hardingstone and Milton Malsor from next month.

Keep an eye out here for more details, but for now we just wanted to say THANK YOU to the Community Foundation for making this happen.

You've heard of Step Forward With Lewis, now it's time to SIP Forward With Lewis so grab a cuppa and we'll tell you more soon 😉

16/10/2026

💪🧘 NEW FREE Strength and Balance Classes coming soon! 🧘💪

Our first class takes place on Tuesday 3rd November 2026!

Want to improve your strength, balance and confidence while staying active and meeting new people?

Join Michelle Lewis, personal trainer and Active Award winner at the BBC Northamptonshire Make a Difference Awards, for a friendly, supportive session designed to help you stay active, build confidence and maintain your independence.

📅 Class starts: Tuesday 3rd November 2026
⏰ 11.15am - 12.15pm
🍽️ Hot meal (optional) : 12.30pm - 1.30pm – Price £5
☎️ 01604 611200

👉 Book online here - https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/WwpkvUST3K

These FREE courses are funded by Northamptonshire Community Foundation through the Cecil Pettit fund.

14/10/2026

It was fantastic to attend Northamptonshire Community Foundation’s event on Monday, celebrating their grant winners.

The community foundation has been a huge supporter of our strength and balance classes, and is a major benefactor of many other charities and organisations throughout the county.

As well as meeting those other groups, we were able to chat to Mike Reader for Northampton South about the difference the grant funding has made to us.

Without the incredible support of the community foundation and other funders, Step Forward With Lewis CIC simply would not exist.

We are so grateful to them for helping us make a huge difference to the lives of so many older and vulnerable people.

13/10/2026

Yes I was on BBC Radio Northampton again this morning as we are involved in Children in Need between the 1st to 13th November

We have the letter W for Wootton and we will be walking daily with at least one member of our strength and balance groups for 26 minutes.

To sponsor us please click below ⬇️

Help Michelle Lewis raise money to support BBC Children in Need

11/10/2026

We’ve received 5 new donations this week! 💙

Don’t forget to shop via easyfundraising. Your favourite brands will donate cashback to us at no extra cost to you.

Shop & raise for us:

https://join.easyfundraising.org.uk/step-forward-with-lewis-cic/lumzo3/at/ArLyHUav/ATNDW/sharetext/5

09/10/2026

A huge thank you to all at Smurfit Westrock in Northampton for their recent donation towards our strength and balance classes.

This one was extra special as we were chosen by the Smurfit team which won their internal Map Challenge event.

It's always lovely to receive these donations, but especially so when there is a personal connection! 🥰

💪 💪 💪 💪 💪 💪

Would you or your organisation like to back what we do?

Email [email protected] to find out how you can donate or sponsor one of our classes.

Or make an individual donation to:
https://www.givewheel.com/o/step-forward-with-lewis-cic/

08/10/2026

What does it take to be an Olympic champion?

It was great to listen to gymnastics gold medalist Max Whitlock telling his story.

He was the guest at a special event at NatWest in Northampton town centre, highlighting some of their recent investment in the branch.

Max explained how every single part of his journey, including any setbacks or injuries, helped him to achieve his greatest successes when the opportunity came.

Stay strong and keep pushing 💪

Lovely to see our friends Lorraine and Lee receive a donation of £500 🙌 towards The Lewis Foundation, this money is going to help to provide many gift bags for those in hospital with cancer.

Finally thank you Mark from NatWest for the invite and making me feel welcome.

07/10/2026

There are a few ways to look after your bones and reduce the risk of breaking one if you fall 🦴

VITAMIN D
Many of us are low in this vitamin, which helps the body to absorb calcium from food and keep bones strong.

We can get vitamin D from foods such as:

Natural Sources

• Oily fish: Salmon, mackerel, herring, and sardines offer high natural levels of vitamin D and healthy omega-3 fats.
• Fish liver oils: Cod liver oil provides a very concentrated dose in a single spoonful.
• Egg yolks: A single large egg yolk contains a small amount (around 37–41 IU) of vitamin D.
• Red meat and liver: Beef and lamb liver contain trace amounts, but should be eaten in moderation.
• Mushrooms: Varieties exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light develop noticeable levels of vitamin D2.

Fortified Foods

• Plant-based milks: Soy, almond, and oat milks often have added vitamin D.
• Cereals and juices: Certain breakfast cereals and orange juices feature added nutrients.
• Fat spreads: Margarine and select dairy products include supplemental vitamin D.

However from October to March when the sunshine in limited and we are less outdoors, the government recommends everyone to consider taking a vitamin D supplement during our winter months. This is because sunlight is also a provider of vitamin D.

AS WE GET OLDER

Our bones get weaker as we age, so weight bearing and strength (resistance) exercise is important to keep bones and muscles strong 💪

DEXA scan

A DEXA scan (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) is a fast, painless imaging test that uses low-dose X-rays to measure bone mineral density or analyze body composition. If a Gp thinks your bones are weak they can recommend the scan. If needed they can also prescribe medication to help keep your bones strong.

04/10/2026

📻 Listen to Michelle talk to Gaby Roslin on BBC Radio London about work we do at SFWL CIC