MONDAY, 12 JUNE, 2016

EMBARGOED UNTIL PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: 11AM-2PM, TUESDAY, 13 JUNE, 2017, BELLS SPORTS CENTRE, PERTH (ACTIVITIES FROM 11:15AM – 12:30PM, LUNCH & TEA DANCE AT 12.30PM-1.30PM, PRESENTING OF TROPHIES AND MEDALS AT 1.30PM – 2.30PM)

Older people Go4Gold in Perth and Kinross

Older people in Perth and Kinross today (Tuesday) took part in a care home challenge event to highlight the importance of physical activity.

Around 120 residents from 40 care homes and care services across the region tried their hand at various games and challenges at the sixth annual Go4Gold event in Bells Sports Centre in Perth.

The event, which is one of the biggest of its kind in Scotland, was designed around this year’s theme of the Queen’s 65-year reign.

The participants took part in various physical challenges including indoor kurling, golf throwing target, fishing for ducks, indoor quoits and a golf putting challenge.

Each team was supported by carers, staff, and volunteers from the Rotary, Soroptimists, Tesco, Scottish and Southern Energy, Perth College UHI, school pupils and other organisations.

Some of the other activities on the day included a warm-up session led by Perth College UHI, a games challenge, a tea dance and sing song after lunch with the Perth High School ceilidh band providing the music and singers.

In the weeks before the event, staff and residents from each care home also created posters for the poster competition.

Go4Gold was organised by the Perth & Kinross Care Home Activity Network (CHAN), which is a partnership between Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership, Live Active Leisure, the third sector and local care homes.

The event aims to increase physical activity levels for all care home residents in a fun way.

During the weeks prior to the event, all the participants trained for and practiced the activities within their care setting to promote active living.

Each participant received a Go4Gold medal and certificate and trophies were presented for the overall winner, most enthusiastic team, best team name, best team identity and best poster.

Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership Falls Service Manager Carolyn Wilson said, “The Go4Gold event is a main highlight of the care home year. It’s fantastic to observe the competitive spirit, enthusiasm and excitement created by all those taking part. Go4Gold demonstrates that everyone can exercise in some way and today we have seen a lasting legacy promoting physical activity.

The event was opened by Perth & Kinross Council Chief Executive, Bernadette Malone, who added, “Go4Gold has been a huge success since it was first launched, and I know that many local care home residents really look forward to it.

“The event helps people to keep their minds and bodies active, and lets them have a laugh and a natter and make new friends. Supporting people to lead active, independent and healthy lives is one of the key aims of Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership and Go4Gold highlights brilliantly how this is working in practice. I’d like to congratulate everyone involved, both organisers and participants, for a fantastic day.”

Notes to editors

Established in 2010, the CHAN is a joint partnership between Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership, Live Active Leisure, and local care homes. It was set up as a forum for care home staff to support and share best practice with each other to improve their standards of meaningful activity including physical activity, to benefit the physical and mental wellbeing of older people and to improve their quality of life.

Contact:

Debbie Huband

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 740134