More than 45 groups countrywide are set to benefit from the ‘Go for Life’ national grant scheme for sport and physical activity for older people.
They will share an allocation of €350,000 under the initiative. This national grant scheme aims to help local clubs and organisations to increase opportunities for their older members to participate in recreational sport and a range of physical activities.
More than 1,200 applications were received this year from older people’s groups all over the country.
A number of groups in Galway, Mayo and Roscommon received their funding from an allocation of €40,000.
The successful applicants include active retirement associations, senior citizens clubs, ICA guilds, sports clubs, local sports partnerships and day and community centres in 26 counties.
The money is being used to buy sports equipment and to fund sport and activity programmes.
Commenting on this year’s scheme, Paul Gillen, health promotion officer for physical activity with the HSE West, says the relationship between being physically active and good health strengthens as people age.
“In other words, being physically active even at a moderate level can be fun, enjoyable and very sociable, and one can reap huge health benefits at the same time.”
He says the “Go for Life” initiative proved over the last 10 years to be a significant intervention to get older people more active and more involved in a wide range of sporting activities with all of the “life-changing benefits” that this brings.
The benefits of physical activity can be enjoyed even if regular practice starts late in life, he explains.
“ For people of all ages, physical activity improves quality of life in many ways:
• It can help relieve the disability and pain associated with common diseases among older people (such as cardiovascular disease, arthritis, osteoporosis, and hypertension )
• It can also contribute greatly to the management of some mental disorders, such as depression
• It improves self-confidence and self-sufficiency - qualities that are the foundation of psychological well-being.”
Any local group interested in providing increased opportunities for older people to participate in sport and physical activity should contact Paul Gillen at (091 ) 548323 or email [email protected]
