Volunteers’ performance and competency delivering exercise
The volunteers demonstrated competency when delivering the exercise intervention including guiding participants’ exercise technique, learning pacing, effectively setting up devices for online demonstrations, and implementing safety considerations. Members seemed satisfied with the volunteer’s exercise delivery, ‘I think (name) did a really good job, she got the hang of it, and got us all doing them properly so, it was good. I don’t think we needed a professional.’ (Member).Nevertheless, they were not qualified instructors and there was a limit to their knowledge and to what they could deliver. One volunteer was concerned about her competence to meet vulnerable older adult’s needs and described how she felt like an ‘amateur’.The members regarded the volunteers as positive and relatable role models, due to their similar age and abilities. The volunteers had a strong rapport with the group, which helped to create a fun atmosphere in which the exercise was delivered in a relaxed and non-judgmental way. Learning from peers created a positive vicarious experience for participants, bolstering their confidence and engagement with the exercise routine. Volunteers brought their own skill sets and style to the exercise role. Two volunteers sharing the role facilitated delivery through reducing pressure on volunteers and bolstering confidence through peer support.