Pensioners in Angus can now keep fit from the comfort of their own armchair thanks to live video streams from local sports centres.
Video Active is available through the joint partnership of Angus Health and Social Care Partnership and ANGUSalive.
The programme uses video conferencing technology to ‘beam’ seated physical activity classes from sports centres.
As part of a trial period, residents of St David’s Care Home in Forfar have been linking to a weekly physical activity class taking place at Webster’s Sports Centre in Kirriemuir.
There are plans to roll this out to other care homes across Angus over the next 18 months to enable more people to stay active as long as possible.
Sally Wilson from Angus Health and Social Care Partnership said: “We know that being physically active is good for us, but not everyone can take part in activities like walking, cycling or pop along to their local sports centre.
“Seated activity is excellent alternative but not so good when getting to a class can be a problem.
“This new digital solution is an excellent way to get all of the physical benefits without any of the hassle.”
Kirsty Hunter, ANGUSalive chief executive said evidence suggests it is never too late to engage in physical activity, yet for many people it can be a challenge to get involved.
She said: “We would like to thank the Angus Activity Programme and the residents of St David’s Care Home for their involvement in the development of this unique programme.”
Gordon Snedden, chairman of the Angus Activity Programme for People with a Long-Term Condition, said they encourage members of the community to exercise because of the many benefits that brings to their health and wellbeing.
He said: “Since 2004 we have set up classes in all the Angus burghs to provide different levels of exercise to suit everyone’s needs.
“One of the hard-to-reach groups is people in Care Homes and Sheltered Housing and although we do have volunteers providing seated exercise in these places it can only be on a short-term basis.
“We believe that everyone, no matter what their health is, should exercise at a level suitable for them and we were therefore delighted to work within the partnership to help facilitate the Video Active project.”
ANGUSalive offers seated exercise classes across its sports centres, including the weekly video class at Webster’s Sports Centre, from 2pm–3pm, every Wednesday as part of the Be Active, Live Well programme.
For more information or to become involved please contact Webster’s Sports Centre reception on 01575 577177 for more details on the seated classes or http://archive.angus.gov.uk/leisureaa/AdultTimetable.pdf.
The £48,456 funding for Video Active was awarded to the Angus Health and Social Care Partnership from Scottish Government Technology Enabled Care Programme.
