Elderly get active with Rotherham United Community Trust

ELDERLY care home residents in Rotherham have been getting active with Rotherham United FC Community Trust (RUCT).

Giant Jenga, skittles, hula-hooping, and bean bag games are among the activities getting residents at Broadacres Care Home, on Naylor Street, Parkgate, moving.

The fun and games activity sessions are being delivered by Lynsey Walker, from RUCT, with funding from Medequip Rotherham, a medical equipment and wheelchair services provider.

The sessions are designed to get residents active, moving and playing while having fun in the process.

One participant, Christine Steer, 77, said: “I didn’t think I could still hula hoop. I haven’t done this in years.”

Pat Brewer, activities coordinator at Broadacres Care Home, said: “Everyone has enjoyed pitting their skills against the giant Jenga, knocking down the skittles and bean bag games. Residents’ favourite has been relearning how to hula hoop.

“We can’t thank the team from Rotherham United Community Trust enough. Lynsey has been absolutely fabulous getting to know residents, gently persuading them to try different activities.

“Everyone took on the challenge of hula hooping with gusto and had a huge laugh.  Staff also joined in the fun as residents taught them how to keep the hoops up. We all want to thank RUCT for the sessions. They’ve been brilliant.”

Emma Schofield, health and wellbeing manager for RUCT, said: “Medequip and RUCT recently formed a partnership to make a positive impact in the Rotherham community.

“One of the initiatives Medequip are supporting is delivering activities to the residents of care homes within Rotherham through the dedicated RUCT team.

“The RUCT team has delivered these sessions previously and feedback is they are very well received by all associated and really do have a profound impact.”