ACTIVITIES geared at getting older people in Shipston moving have been given a new lease of life thanks to more funding.
The initiative, led by Stour Health and Wellbeing Partnership and Everyone Active – which runs Shipston Leisure Centre – began in November last year and has now been extended thanks to a £10,000 funding pot being made available, with contributions from Sport England and housing association L&Q.
Aimed at older adults within the local community, the wide range of activities aims to encourage people who were previously inactive, due to lockdowns or injury, to start moving again.
Activities, all aimed at supporting mobility, include seated exercise classes, new age kurling and Pilates for complete beginners.
The programme also encourages inter-generational activity through its work with local schools. Local walking quiz events are aimed at encouraging children to become more active during the school holidays, whilst spending time with older family members and learning more about the history of the town they live in.
Alex Fuoco-Lang, Everyone Active’s contract manager, said: “It’s always a challenge to break down barriers to participation, particularly for this age group. We know innovative ideas for activities are key and we’re delighted to be able to continue delivering them.
“The project has allowed us to work with a range of partners including Stour Health and Wellbeing Partnership, L&Q Group, Warwickshire Community and Voluntary Action, Stratford District Council, and Sport England. We’re looking forward to continuing to strengthen these partnerships and working with them on similar projects going forward”.
Vanessa Compton, who led the Stour Health and Well-being Partnership delivery team, said: “We were delighted to receive this funding and the opportunity to work with Everyone Active and Stratford District Council to deliver the project. We decided to name it the Dr Sue Pritchard Memorial Challenge in honour of a greatly respected local doctor who had always recognised the importance of health and wellbeing for the local community”.
While Coun Ian Shenton, Warwickshire County Council (WCC) spokesperson for leisure, added: “I congratulate everyone in gaining this award of £10,000 as this demonstrates how successful partnership working can be in obtaining funding for what is a very important objective, to get previously inactive older adults active again.
“As exercise has been shown to improve health and well-being for all ages it is essential that we encourage as many older adults as possible to take part in this great initiative which also encourages children to be more active by spending time with and encouraging older adults to exercise more. Taking this out into the community by using venues closer to older residents is a great example of an innovative approach”.
For further information visit https://www.everyoneactive.com/centre/shipston-leisure-centre/
