Over 65's Variety Session - a case study

Freedom Leisure were approached by Fresh Visions to help support the delivery of an activity session that targets people aged 65 and over. Fresh visions is charity that support children, young people and adults who face extreme disadvantage as a result of poverty, domestic abuse, lack of education and social exclusion.

The charity operates in the poorest neighbourhoods in the UK. Summerfields Leisure Centre in Hastings is located in the heart of the community in a deprived ward of Hastings making it the perfect location to host a session. Their programme InTouch tackles isolation and loneliness by promoting active lifestyles and wellbeing for people aged over 65.

The session was set up to target and support local residents that live alone in Hastings and are either part of the Southdown Housing Association or part of the surrounding neighbourhood. With the funding provided by Fresh Visions, we've been able to work in partnership with them to make the session FREE for all attendees, helping to break down any barriers centred around cost.

We've been able to deliver a session that has the social element at its heart to help combat isolation and loneliness, all aimed at keeping the mind and body active in advancing years. The session has been speifically tailored to encourage being active and to create social interactions at the same time, with activities including: Short Mat Bowls, Boccia, New Age Curling, Table-Tennis, Badminton, Short-Tennis and the Interactive Gaming Wall.

Freedom Leisure provide a host available to help with the meet and greet process, introducing new attendees to the group and help to facilite the activities, then it's over to the participants to socialise and try out what's on offer.

Once the session is over, participants are encouraged to head up to the cafe area for a complimentary hot drink to help encourage conversations and social interactions with the group. A number of the participants now regularly meet outside of the project, attending social events together and communicating via a  WhatsApp group.

The number of participants has steadily grown over the weeks and is now averaging 20 - 25 attendees each week.