Sport England fund to bring magic of the Olympics to Worthing care residents

Older people visiting day centre Methold House, in Worthing, are to benefit from £22,540 of National Lottery funding, which will pay for the installation of an outdoor gymnasium as an extension to the home’s Healthy Living Centre.

The outdoor gym is made possible thanks to the £135m ‘Places People Play’ legacy programme and allocated via Sport England’s Inspired Facilities fund, created to help communities all over England celebrate their link to the Olympic Games.

All facilities and refurbishments financed by the legacy programme will carry the London 2012 Inspire mark, with applicants asked to demonstrate how their proposals will encourage more people to enjoy sporting activities, as well as showing plans for community involvement and sustainability.

MP for East Worthing, Tim Loughton, was among those to welcome the Methold House funding, commenting: “What a great way for our older citizens to benefit from the legacy of London 2012 and congratulations to Guild Care for securing such a practical and lasting addition to the excellent facilities at Methold House. I have seen at firsthand what a difference the Healthy Living Centre is making to the lives of hundreds of older people across Worthing and this is a further ringing endorsement of the important work they are doing for my constituents.”

Residents of Methold House already enjoy a wide range of popular activities thanks to the Healthy Living Centre, such as indoor bowls, Tai Chi and yoga, and Guild Care have promised specially trained tutors will visit the outdoor gym in order to help individuals make the most of the new facility.

Guild Healthcare own three Worthing care homes and one day centre that specialise in a versatile range of nursing packages, available through combined public and private funding.

Image: Olympic Stadium courtesy of London 2012