Care home resident who launched fitness programme for older people is awarded British Empire Medal

A 74-year-old resident and fitness instructor from Surrey has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for his efforts to maintain and improve the health and wellbeing of older generations during COVID-19.

Terry Keen who lives at Willow Glade retirement housing scheme in Reigate was nominated by Anchor, for launching a fitness programme for older people in May 2019 called 10 Today.

Since its launch, Mr Keen has led the 10 Today campaign, working with Anchor Hanover, Sports England and Demos to encourage older people across the country to take part in. The idea being older people across the country take part in regular 10-minute exercises each day.

Mr Keen personally created the flexible exercise programme which can be adapted for people of different physical capabilities, whether they can stand independently or can only do armchair exercises.

The programme aims to help keep older people nimble, boosting their health but also preventing falls which would impact on an already over-stretched NHS, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

’I’ve always been passionate about helping people get fit and active in their later years’

Having overcome his own serious health issues several years ago, Mr Keen tries to keep himself as active as possible and describes himself as “not super fit and certainly no athlete,” Mr Keen said: “I just realised if I wanted to enjoy a quality of life, especially through my later years, I had to keep moving.”

On receiving his recognition, Mr Keen said: “I'm overwhelmed and extremely honoured to receive a British Empire Medal. It’s really made my year, to be able to celebrate this during such a challenging period for everyone. I’ve always been passionate about helping people get fit and active in their later years, so this award means the world to me.”

During the pandemic, Mr Keen felt it was even more important to connect with older people who were living alone because they were feeling especially isolated.

Mr Keen collaborated with Anchor Hanover to launch Be Active which is designed to empower older people to take control of their physical and mental wellbeing and make positive changes in their lives, during and beyond the pandemic.

The programme, initiated by Mr Keen, was carefully curated with industry experts and offers a wide range of online resources, from video-led exercise and dance routines to podcasts and tips on how to keep the mind active.

Mr Keen added: “I’m very grateful to Anchor Hanover for nominating me, and for giving me many opportunities to spread the word about how staying active can boost mental, physical and social wellbeing. We need this now more than ever.

“It’s a truly special feeling, and I'm very humbled, in light of the tremendous efforts of so many in keeping us safe during these troubled times.”

Mr Keen has always been an inspiration with keeping the elderly connected. For the Queen’s 90th birthday in 2016, he wanted to give older people the chance to wish the Queen a happy birthday.

With an A3-size birthday card in hand, he cycled from the furthest north property owned by Anchor Hanover in Berwick Upon Tweed to their most southerly retirement housing property in Cornwall.

His 50-day journey saw him zigzagging across the country to reach as many older people as possible so they could personally sign the birthday card for Her Majesty.

After delivering the birthday card, the Queen was so impressed she personally wrote him a thank you letter. He was thrilled to receive this letter from the Queen, but he said what motivated him was seeing the smiles on the older people’s faces as they were signing the card.

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