Senior Games

Almost a third of adults over 65 in Wiltshire are not active enough, taking part in less than 30 minutes per week. High rates of inactivity among the older population can increase the risk of falls, breast cancer, Alzheimer's disease and cognitive decline.

The Senior Games will promote active living, wellbeing, and quality of life among older people, making every movement count, with a fun and friendly festival at the end of the 12 week project It has the long term aim of reducing avoidable hospital admissions by contributing to active ageing, and enabling individuals to live independently for as long as they are able to. The Senior Games 2023 Programme follows the success of the Virtual Senior Games in 2020 which gained coverage in both the Daily Mail and Daily Express newspapers.

On Wednesday 17th January we held our first face to face Swindon Senior Games Festival at Lydiard Park Hotel and Conference Centre. Over 40 residents took part in competitive activities includingtarget mat throw, foam javelin, tin-can alley and golf putting.We were joined by residents from:- Orchid Care Home- Edgehill Care Home- Fessey House Residential Care- Lansdowne Hill Care Home- Ridgeway Rise Care Home

The Festival was a celebration of a 12 week programme which supported 9 care homes across Swindon working with older adults to increase their physical activity, with an aim to improve physical function and quality of life in those participating. The festival provided an all-inclusive, fun physical activity competition, which brought all participants and staff together.Well done to everyone who took part, it really was a joyful afternoon, and congratulations to Lansdowne Hill Care Home who achieved the highest scores and won the trophy!

Huge thanks goes out to Lawn Manor Academy students for their invaluable support in delivering the event, Lydiard Park Hotel and Conference Centre for hosting and looking after us, Swindon Borough Council Public Health Team, and Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust team for your support over the 12 week programme and ensuring the day ran smoothly, and to Katie & Annamaria for delivering the 12 week programme within the care homes!

Find out about the Senior Games Programme delivered in previous years.