Wheelchair racer Gareth gets care home residents active

A DISABILITY sport organisation has been getting elderly care home residents in Northumberland active. The wheelchair racer Gareth Brown from SMILE Through Sport visited The Oaks Care Home, in Blyth, to run activities for the residents.

Gareth, who among other sports enjoys wheelchair racing, divided the residents into two teams to take part in a version of bowls.

The teams threw balls into hoops to score and attempted to knock the opposing teams balls out. The team with the most balls in the hoop wins.

The not-for-profit organisation, which works throughout the North East, uses a variety of sports and activities to increase physical activity opportunities for all abilities.

They deliver sessions in schools, colleges, day centres, care homes and other disabled organisations.

Ann Lillico, a resident at The Oaks Care Home, on Durban Street, said: “I thoroughly enjoyed myself. The session with Gareth was great fun.”

Resident Dennis Allen said: “It was good fun and good exercise. I like to keep myself fit.”

Following the success of the session, the home hopes to get Gareth and SMILE Through Sport back again, to run regular monthly activities.

Home manager Ann Mielnik said: “The residents loved it so much they wanted Gareth to come back that afternoon.

“The staff on duty all commented on how good it was as well – getting both regular activity participants involved and those who don’t usually take part.

“It was something different to get the residents active and we can’t wait to get them back again.”

SMILE Through Sport was founded by Stephen Miller MBE, a six-time Paralympian and three-time Paralympic champion, along with his wife Rachel, a disability sports development officer.