Get active at the Hackney New Age Games
Archery, mountain biking and Pilates are among the activities on offer during the New Age Games activity programme for residents aged 50 plus.
The Games are held at local leisure centres, parks and other venues across the borough and sessions are free for all Hackney residents aged 50 above.
The New Aged Games began in 2011 and now 500 people are registered with the scheme. A recent survey showed that 99.6 per cent of clients would recommend the scheme to a friend and 99.6 per cent said that the scheme had helped them improve their quality of life, including increased feelings of happiness, ability to socialise and improved self confidence.
Over the years, the New Age Games have proved very popular with hundreds of over 50s who have tried new sports and activities. The majority of those have said that taking part has been beneficial to their health and wellbeing. I’m delighted to see that, no matter what their interests or ability, these Games are a place to have fun, meet new people and get active.
Sessions run Monday to Saturday until 29 November 2014. Sessions will not take place between 27 July and 31 August. All sessions are led by qualified instructors. Anyone wanting to join should turn up 10 minutes before the start and complete a registration form. Session places are allocated on first come first served basis.
Annie Mangion, who is 75 years old and a regular at the mountain biking session said: “New Age Games has given me a new lease of life after recovering from cancer twice and a stroke, there are people like me that are very grateful to the New Age Games, it gives us something to focus on and look forward to. I never felt so fit until I joined the New Age Games”.
Abigail Omilade, from Shoreditch said: “New Age Games and Fit for Health have saved my life. Got back on my feet after my stroke, I have met many friends, learnt more and it has reduced my high blood pressure, glucose levels and levels of depression.”
To help improve health and wellbeing the Department of Health recommends adults should aim to be active daily. Over a week, activity should add up to at least two and half hours of moderate intensity activity in bouts of 10 minutes or more. One way to approach this is to do 30 minutes on at least 5 days a week. Inactivity is a risk factor which can lead to long term complications such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer.
Interested residents can contact 020 8356 4897 or, darren.english@hackney.gov.uk for more information about the Games.