One of the more difficult things to do when you are stuck inside is to stay active. But there are a growing number of options to join simple daily exercise classes online that focus on routines that can be undertaken in your home. The sessions listed here are all provided by recognised instructors and we will added other suitable options as we become aware of them.

For suggestions on less structured exercises that you can do at home with resources for printing out (to be delivered to those without internet access), please check out the Exercise at home page.

A majority of the online exercise sessions are being live streamed on Facebook, so you can join them as they happen and participate in real time. You will also be able to catch up – either on Facebook or YouTube (where noted) – and do them at your leisure if you are otherwise engaged. To participate in the sessions on Facebook you may need to have a Facebook account and be signed in to this account.

The sessions are generally 15 to 30 minutes long and those listed below are from organisations whose work in this field is well established.

Make Movement Your Mission has live sessions running on Facebook three times a day. These are run by Bex Townley of Later Life Training. These are scheduled for 8am, midday and 4pm (GMT). This is a private Facebook group, so you will need to visit the Make Movement Your Mission page and click on the Join Group button.

Move it or Lose it will be doing a daily Facebook Live session with founder Julie Robinson giving tips and demonstrating exercise routines to follow along to. To participate, make sure you go to their Facebook page and click on the like button (you will need to be signed up to Facebook to do this) and turn notifications so you are alerted when the sessions are about to start. Alternatively, you can visit the page and view videos of previous sessions.

Paths for All, Active Fife and NHS Fife Health Promotion have produced a 25 minute film focusing on strength and balance exercises that can be done in the home. These are designed to help improve mental, physical and social health. If you do have access to some outdoor space at the moment, combine these exercises with a walk around the garden.

Since 2017 Scottish Ballet has been developing its programme of dementia-friendly classes after receiving funding from the Life Changes Trust.

Scottish Ballet is now running a number of its movement classes on Facebook. This includes the Time to Dance session at 11.30am on Wednesday. It is a seated activity and suitable for people living with dementia. There is also the age-friendly Regenerate(60+) class at 11.30am on Thursday.

Together Dementia Support is a registered charity, based in Manchester, providing activity and support groups for people living with dementia and their carers. The sessions on Facebook are led by Ageless Grace UK, with videos being posted most weekdays.