A NEWLY-formed group in Basingstoke held a special open day to raise awareness and get people active.

Parability, a group which aims to eliminate social inequality by promoting health and fitness, held an open day with lots of different activities for visitors, at St Andrew’s Church in Western Way, South Ham.

Activities available on the day included card making, plate painting, and a series of light stretching exercises.

Representatives from health organisations such as Headway, Hampshire Wellbeing Services and the Disability Forum were also on hand to get involved in the action and to provide information on their services.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Basingstoke and Deane, Councillor Roger Gardiner and Tricia Gardiner, also got into the swing of things, taking part in exercises and joining people in the craft room.

Founder Chris Hall, who has been disabled from birth, set up the group last year as a way to create an environment which accepts everyone and is free from discrimination.

Mixing this with one of his other passions – health and fitness – Chris decided to introduce exercise into the group as a way to socialise and make new friends.

Chris said: “I was really impressed with the turnout. We still need to try to get a lot of individuals to come along. Improving the health of the nation is important to the economy of Britain in the long-term.

“The Mayor took part in both of the sessions and thoroughly enjoyed it. Some of the advice the Mayor gave us has helped, and I am working through that now. He gave me a few contacts in the area which I am following up.”

The group meets once a month at the church, in Western Way. For more information, visit parability.org.