Tai Chi taster sessions planned for UK Older People’s Day

Date of issue: Wednesday, 29 September 2010

Free Tai Chi taster sessions will be staged in Carlisle’s city centre this Friday (1 October), in celebration of UK Older People’s Day.

Between 10.45am and 12.15pm, free classes will be on offer in the town centre, in front of the town hall, for all ages and abilities, although a special invitation is sent out to the city’s older residents. They will be encouraged to follow the theme of this year’s event – getting and staying active in later life.

The event has been organised by Carlisle City Council and is ‘teaser’ for an event planned at The Sands Centre this Sunday (3 October) where a brand new activity programme, aimed at the 50+ age group, will be officially launched.

Funding through the SPAA initiative (Sports and Physical Activity Alliance) has enabled the project to be drawn together by Carlisle Leisure Limited and Carlisle City Council’s Sports & Recreation and Health Improvement teams.

The launch day on Sunday (3 October) begins at 10am and will finish at 5pm. All activities will be free of charge and an open invitation is extended for people to come along and see for themselves what is available.

The event will feature a host of local organisations who all specialise in activities or resources for the 50+ age group, including British Heart Foundation, Age UK. The initial concept for the scheme was devised by new Carlisle Leisure Limited’s Managing Director, Andy King.

“Its absolute fact that over the next decade the number of over 50s will grow considerably” As the main provider of sport, leisure and cultural activities within Carlisle and Allerdale it is only right that we look to address what we are able to provide for this particular age group and readdress our current offer to be able to deliver exactly what people want from us.”

Andy is quick to point out that the new programme is not just about taking part in traditional leisure centre activities:

“A big part of the programme launch will be about finding out what exactly people want to take part in. We obviously have in place sport and leisure activities but we can also provide space within our facilities for other activities to take place such as arts, music, drama, demonstrations, cookery. “

A programme of events has been scheduled for the launch day which will include an appearance by renowned celebrity chef, John Crouch. Other activities will include walks, golf, tennis, short mat bowls, tai chi

Cllr Ray Bloxham, Portfolio holder for Local Environment, said:

“We are delighted to be a lead partner in this new programme. The SPAA had no hesitation in funding such a worthwhile project which we hope will deliver huge benefits to the local community. Our Sport & Recreation team and our colleagues at Carlisle Leisure have been putting together an activity programme which will run from the launch day up until Christmas.

“There will be a huge range of activities in place for this age group which they can take part in on a regular basis. In addition to this programme, we will be supporting outreach programmes across local urban communities and also throughout key rural localities.”

The new scheme will be delivered by Carlisle City Council and Carlisle Leisure Limited in partnership with a whole host of local organisations. Under the guidance of both teams, a bank of volunteers has been recruited who will be a crucial part of the scheme.

Garry Schubert, Sport and Physical Activity Officer from Carlisle City Council says:

“Our new volunteers will help us to deliver the 50+ programme and will form an important link between the participants and ourselves and will provide support and guidance to those who take part in the activities. The City Council already has a successful volunteer programme in place and we will be able to mentor any new recruits and help them to get the most out of the experience.”

The programme thereafter will be discounted for participants. Information about the scheduled activities after the launch will be available from www.carlisleleisure.com   or www.carlisle.gov.uk 

Anybody interested in volunteering for the new programme should call Kelly Donnelly on 01228 553181 or eail kelly.donnelly@carlisleleisure.com