Active Seniors — Programme Update

Our Active Seniors programme continues to go from strength to strength, now supporting around a hundred and fifty clients across eleven care homes in North and South Lanarkshire through free weekly activity sessions designed to help older people stay active, connected and healthy.

This continued growth is only possible thanks to the generous support of our funders, including the National Lottery Community Fund, National Lottery Awards for All Scotland, William Grant and Sons, the Hugh Fraser Foundation, Sported, the WG Edwards Charitable Foundation, People's Postcode Trust and the Christina Mary Hendrie Trust, whose funding allows us to keep these sessions completely free for those who need them most.

Our Chief Executive, Mark Reid, reflected on what makes the programme special: "The most satisfying aspect of the project ultimately comes down to the personal element. We get feedback from care home staff that the days our staff are in visiting just give the residents that little bit more cheer in the morning, when they're excited and looking forward to participating in the programmes and activities that the staff run with them. But it's not just about recreation — it's about maintaining core strength and functionality, helping people preserve their independence for longer, and ultimately providing a better quality of life for those who need it most."

As Project Coordinator Iwona Dziura explains:

“We often think of physical activity as something primarily enjoyed by younger people, but sometimes we forget just how much older people enjoy being active too – and how important they recognise it is for maintaining their independence, wellbeing and quality of life.

As we get older, there can naturally be more limitations to consider, which is why providing safe, appropriate and effective exercise requires the right skills and knowledge. That is something we take very seriously at the Fair Play Foundation.

Our Active Seniors programme is supported by a team of highly qualified professionals, from our health specialist who carries out the health screening process, to the staff who plan and deliver the sessions and the team coordinating the programme behind the scenes. It means we can provide activities that are not only enjoyable and engaging, but designed with the individual needs and safety of our participants at their heart.”