An Andover therapy centre has celebrated opening its doors after moving in to its new home during the pandemic.

The I Can Therapy Centre, run by Valley Leisure Ltd, provides therapy for those with long-term health conditions including Parkinson’s Disease or multiple sclerosis. It moved into the former home of the Rendezvous on Union Street, opening on April 19.

The centre’s manager, Ann Jones, said: “We are thrilled to have reopened our specialist exercise therapy service from its new home so we can continue to improve our community’s health and wellbeing. With COVID-19 restrictions lifting, we are able to return to what we do best – enabling people to move more and feel better.”

The I Can Therapy Centre was previously based at the Salto Centre in Charlton, where it had been located for some time. As previously reported, councillors on Test Valley Borough Council approved the conversion of the Rendezvous into a therapy centre at a heated meeting in February.

Work has since taken place to get the building ready for those being treated, with Ann saying that they had been significantly affected by the pandemic.

She said: “We’re seeing the direct impact of the closure of community support services due to COVID-19. Our customers are less mobile, their joints are stiffer and more painful, they’re less flexible, and they are more unsteady on their feet.

“Some of our customers’ health has deteriorated so much that they are unable to return to exercising with us. We are able to turn the tide and help people improve their strength, fitness and balance enabling them to regain independence and improve quality of life.”

The new centre opened its doors a couple of weeks ago, and has welcomed customers back. It provides an exercise service using power-assisted equipment to help treat a range of conditions.

The chief executive of Valley Leisure Ltd, Chris Attrill, said: “I Can’s move into Andover is perfect for this bespoke service. Within the heart of the town centre, our customers will be able to maximise their visit by taking advantage of good public transport links, ample parking spaces and importantly TVBC’s reduced £1 for 2 hours parking fee, whilst combing their visit with their shopping needs thus increasing footfall into the town centre.

“The move of I Can is in full support of the Andover Masterplan, designed to increase non-retail usage of units within the town centre and attract footfall and spend to support the future of the High Street.”

After reopening on April 19, the team have already welcomed 140 people into the COVID secure therapy centre many of whom are self-managing one or multiple long-term health conditions including Parkinson’s, MS, stroke, arthritis, heart disease, lung disease and mental health conditions.

For further information about the ‘I Can Therapy Centre’ please visit: www.icantherapycentre.co.uk