At Quo Vadis Trust, we’re incredibly grateful for the dedication of our volunteers, who make a real difference in the lives of our clients. One such volunteer is Satvinder, who generously shares her time and expertise by teaching yoga at Elmwood Lodge.
Yoga offers many benefits—not just for physical health, but also for mental well-being. For our clients, many of whom face challenges with their mental health, these sessions provide a chance to relax, reconnect, and build confidence in a supportive environment.
In this interview, we sit down with Satvinder to learn more about her journey as a volunteer with QVT, what inspires her to help, and the impact yoga has on the clients at Elmwood Lodge…
Hi Satvinder, how did you end up volunteering at QVT?
My brother moved into Elmwood lodge a couple of years ago and I visit him often. Over time I have got to know the staff and residents, plus their routines and activities.
I am a retired Yoga teacher but still practice regularly, my brother knew this and asked a few times to do yoga with me.
During a chat with Mandy (manager) about Yoga, she asked if I would like to do it with the residents and I was happy to try it out. I have been doing regular Yoga sessions at the care home for over a year now and really enjoy it.
Have you noticed any positive changes in the clients you work with? Can you share any success stories?
I have noticed real positive changes in the residents that regularly take part in the yoga sessions. Each week, they are excited & ready to do the Yoga exercises, they are often waiting for me when I arrive. They are all more flexible and able to move the body parts more easily than when we first started doing Yoga. They have often commented that they feel happy & more calm during the session, plus mention that they like the exercises.
One resident used to sit all through the session and do the exercises sitting down as she is a little unstable with her walking/standing. A few months after started the Yoga sessions, she felt more confident, more flexible & stronger, and she has started to stand during some of the exercises.
What do you think are the biggest benefits of yoga for mental health?
Yoga calms the mind as we focus on our breathing while doing gentle exercises. We have calming, soft music during the session, plus battery candles & lovely smelling oils burning in the room. Yoga breathing & exercises also helps with improving flexibility and strengthening all parts of the body, so improving your overall health.
What would you say to someone who is hesitant to try yoga because they feel it might not be for them?
I would say, try it out!
Yoga can be adjusted to suit your individual needs, it’s easy and has gentle movements that will improve your health in general. Even just the breathing exercises will help you to calm the mind help you deal with stress. Combined with the exercises it will help you to improve the mind & body.
What do you like most about volunteering at QVT?
The residents – they are so excited each week to take part in the yoga sessions, and at the end of each session they ask if I will come again next week.
All the staff are really supportive and caring, they really have the residents’ interests & needs as the priority and at the heart of their work.
They have all made me feel welcomed, & supported me to be able to run the sessions at the care home.
A big thank you to Satvinder for taking the time to share her experience with us and for the work she does at Elmwood Lodge!
You can read more QVT articles and news here