THE Mayor of Test Valley has visited a new therapy centre after it recently opened.

Councillor Carl Borg-Neal was 'impressed' by the I Can Therapy Centre, Off Charlton Road, which launched in November last year.

The mayor went to the site to learn more about the centre’s unique offering and even performed a workout on the specially adapted exercise equipment.

Cllr Borg-Neal said: “Valley Leisure has created a really impressive set-up in the I Can Therapy Centre which will enable and allow people to do everything from gaining basic fitness to regaining mobility.”

Operated by Valley Leisure, the new centre boasts ten specially adapted power assisted exercise machines as well as a full time onsite physiotherapist to screen, assess and deliver exercise programmes for users with varying conditions and abilities.

Liz Murray, community health development manager said: “The local community is at the heart of the services and facilities which Valley Leisure operate and deliver in and around Test Valley.

"We recognise that an increasingly large proportion of the population is ageing and with this increases the likelihood of many, often limiting long-term health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, lung disease and neurological conditions.

"Through working in partnership with like-minded organisations such as Age UK Mid Hampshire and the Older People’s Mental Health Team, we know that people are keen to move more but often need encouragement and support to achieve this.

"The I Can Therapy Centre is set up with exactly this level of support in place from a warm and friendly welcome to a natter over a cuppa with our team of staff and volunteers.”