OlympAge Games makes a welcome post-pandemic return

The ‘OlympAge Games’ made a welcome return recently, with teams of older people participating in the wellbeing event which was held at Halo Bridgend Life Centre.

 

Organised by Bridgend County Borough Council’s Social Services and Wellbeing directorate, the event returned after a three-year absence to coincide with International Older Persons Day on Saturday 1 October.

 

Participants from local community groups and activity sessions across the county borough took part in the event to compete in the various sporting activities which included basketball, new-age bowling and curling, target throwing, bounce ball and the chair relay finale.

 

Year 10 students from Bryntirion and Brynteg Comprehensive schools were on hand to support and coach the eight competing teams, which were named after countries around the world. Partners including Awen, Halo Leisure, Bing, Bavo and Super Agers helped to ensure the games ran smoothly and participants had a good time.

 

The ‘OlympAge Games’ and the Super Agers programmes are part of the council’s focus on developing wellbeing initiatives that recognise the health and wellbeing benefits of encouraging older people to move more often, while creating a supportive and engaging environment that all ages can benefit from.

 

Deputy Leader Councillor Jane Gebbie and Deputy Mayor Councillor William Kendall were amongst those attending the event,

Deputy Leader, Councillor Jane Gebbie who opened the event said:

“Today we celebrate the upcoming, International Day of Older People, but we are on a mission to make every day more meaningful and appropriate for older adults across the county borough.

“Our super-agers programme will have engaged many of the teams here today as well as other community programmes and initiatives, and we are so pleased to be able to start something and build on that strong foundation.

“Our work with SHOUT, our older person’s forum has continued particularly in relation to community activities, and we are seeing real opportunities for older adults to engage and have more of a voice and a choice in what happens in their local communities.

“By doing more things like this we can prevent issues such as loneliness and isolation, reduce the risks of falling, help build support networks between people in communities and above all help sustain good levels of wellbeing for all.

“We are also launching our commitment, with the support of Welsh Government, to become a World Health Organisation ‘Age-Friendly Community’ and in time to become a part of a global network.

“Our fundamental goal is to create inclusive and integrated communities, and I’m pleased to see a mix of generations including young people from Brynteg and Bryntirion secondary schools supporting this special occasion.”

Deputy Mayor, Councillor William Kendall who handed out the winning trophies to the ‘Tongan’ and ‘Sri Lankan’ teams said:

“Our teams today are a shining example of those who have been able to connect and who will be taking part in a competitive but fun event this morning.”

For more information on the ‘OlympAge’ programme, please contact the council’s Prevention and Wellbeing department on 01656 815215 or email: jane.thomas@bridgend.gov.uk