As part of our ongoing commitment to keeping all those we support and cares for active, motivated and engaged with their local community, residents at our Colchester-based New Copford Place residential care home are inviting its neighbours to join residents for a fun and inspirational exercise session.
At each of our care homes, we have a wide and varied range of meaningful activities taking place, which are designed to suit and fulfil all residents’ physical and emotional needs. “All the activities which take place here at New Copford Place are tailored to individuals’ likes, hobbies, favourite pastimes and interests,” said Chelsey Leather, the Care Home’s Activities Coordinator.
“I have designed and deliver an inclusive weekly calendar of meaningful activities that the residents thoroughly enjoy; making sure that each activity keeps the residents engaged, motivated and inspired. Current favourites include our pamper sessions, our extensive range of interactive games and the fortnightly visit from Libby who comes along and hosts a themed and interactive music and movement session, Musical Moments. Libby’s sessions help our residents with their mobility and communication, whilst at the same time provide a great social interaction,” continued Chelsey.
“As part of our continuing commitment to our local community, I was keen to introduce a new, interactive and inclusive activity for the residents – Rise Seated Sports.
“It has proved to be so popular and fun, I thought it would be a great idea to open our doors and invite our neighbours from the next-door retirement village, Dorothy Curtice Court to join us.”
Initially Chelsey contacted Rise Essex, an organisation which delivers a Seated Sports Programme. “I’d researched different options, but knowing how much the residents love all types of sporting activities, games, chair-based exercise – and enjoy healthy competition, the Seated Sports Programme ticked all the boxes,” continued Chelsey.
The Rise programme encourages movement and exercise in a fun, positive and enjoyable environment. “The meaningful activities we have put together for New Copford Place have a great range of benefits for all the attendees,” said Zoe Usedon, the Activity Lead at Rise Essex who leads the sessions at the care home. “The activities not only improve residents’ physical fitness, but can help reduce the risk of falls, improve sleep quality, bring a sense of belonging, help combat anxiety and maintain and improve mental wellbeing.”
Each seated sports activity is adapted to suit the needs of all participants and mobilities. “The equipment Zoe brings along is amazing,” continued Chelsey. “Every item is modified and tailored to help residents to improve their physical mobility whilst taking part in an exercise; and each exercise helps with increasing social interaction and mental stimulation through competition and being part of a sporting team.”
All the activities are sports-based exercises and include rugby, football, tennis, basketball and hockey. “The sports vary each in each session, however the residents love rugby, football and tennis,” added Chelsey.
Each session runs along the same format of the residents sit in two teams and then compete against each other to be the winners of The Rise Cup at the end of the activity. Each team collects points with every game or sport they play.
“It’s wonderful as the activities are tailored to residents’ needs and abilities and help improve hand to eye coordination, dexterity, balance and flexibility. One of the residents doesn’t have movement in her legs, so during the football element, she has an adapted hockey stick to use to hit the ball. All the games and activities encourage a bit of competitiveness between the residents they also help with speech and communication as well, as the residents have to work as a team and inspire each other,” continued Chelsey.
Since taking part in the Rise Sports sessions, Chelsey has seen some marked improvements in the residents she cares for. “I’ve seen more movement in the residents’; moods becoming more positive and communication improving. One resident who has limited to no movement surprises us each time with how much she gets involved and moves her legs and arms to catch and hit the ball or balloon that’s being used at the time.
“Others surprise us with how good they balance when choosing to stand and kick the ball or pick the balls up off the floor. Another resident loves to help us as she was a Nurse, so it’s in her blood to help out and she will always do her best to go and collect the balls and cones up and put them back to where they were situated,” Chelsey added.
The residents agree. “I really enjoy the sports, they are lots of fun and normally I don’t like these things,” said 89-year-old Pat Linscott, who has been a resident at New Copford Place since February 2023. “The Rise Sports sessions are good fun, and I like to socialise with everyone when doing it. I have always liked to keep active and always do my own exercises in my room in my chair when I can, but the sports sessions get me out of my room and doing the exercises with others,” added 92-year-old Beryl Brown who has lived at New Copford Place since February 2024. Ann Smith, who is 84-years-old and has been a resident at the care home since September 2023 added, “It’s good fun and more fun when my team wins. There’s nothing wrong with some competitiveness, it’s good for the soul.”
“Our next Rise Sports session is on 3rd April and I have invited residents from Dorothy Curtice Court to come along and join the New Copford Place residents for a fun and social sporting morning,” continued Chelsey.
“We are planning on mixing everyone up into different teams which will be great for expanding everyone’s social interactions and engagement. I’m sure the Rise Sports session will get everyone energised and invigorated.”
“Seeing how the residents concentrate during the Rise Sports sessions on the activity in hand is really rewarding,” added Daniel Sabau, the Registered Manager at New Copford Place. “The camaraderie between the residents is wonderful and seeing how they cheer each other on throughout the session and hearing the non-stop laughter is so uplifting.”
“Having the Rise Sports Team come into New Copford Place has been a great inspiration and success in the care home and has really helped the residents with movement and exercise. I am amazed at how competitive the residents get and how they push themselves to win by kicking or throwing the ball harder and aiming so well.
“The team from Rise Sports is fantastic. Zoe is great with the residents; she has a laugh with them and encourages them to do so much and to try something new. She is great at adapting the sports on the spot for each residents’ individual needs and really gets the morale going which then, in turn, tops up the morale of the care home for the rest of the day.
“The Rise Sports sessions are now probably the most popular activity we have on our Activity Calendar, and having our neighbours join us, take part and interact with the residents, make new friends and have a fantastic time is going to be the icing on the cake,” concluded Chelsey.
Find out more about New Copford Place care home by calling 01206 210 397 or emailing enquiries@fote.org.uk.