The Positive Impact Of Walking Sport Activities For Older People

For almost a decade, Bexhill Leisure Centre has delivered very popular Walking Sport activities.

We actively encourage the community to try a walking sport, and the Active Rother programme has supported the introduction of these great sessions for the community.

In recognition of this work, Active Rother spent a day filming different activities at Bexhill Leisure Centre. We filmed and spoke with people taking part in the activities to get valuable insight into the reasons why they attend the sessions, and the health and wellbeing benefits they get from them.

On the day of filming attendees had the opportunity to try: Active 4 Life Classes, Chair Based Classes, Pickleball, Walking Cricket, Walking Football and Walking Netball. And all attendees were encouraged to stay afterwards for a hot drink and a chat.

If you’ve not heard of walking sports, they are traditional activities – football, cricket, netball etcetera – but played at a slower pace. This means they are accessible to people who might not be as fit as they once were, are injured or maybe a medical reason stops them playing the faster paced versions of the sports they love. It also has the wellbeing benefits of being sociable and fun.

The goal of filming at Bexhill Leisure Centre was to showcase the wide range of activities specifically designed for older people in Rother. By watching one of the videos we hope you are inspired to take part yourself.

Walking Sports at Bexhill Leisure Centre
Bexhill Walking Football
Bexhill Walking Netball
Bexhill Leisure Centre Chair Aerobics
Pickleball at Bexhill Leisure Centre
Bexhill Walking Cricket

WATCH HERE: https://www.youtube.com/@activerother2678/videos

During the last 10 years, all the groups highlighted above have received set-up funding from Active Rother, support from their respective County Governing Body, and partners such as Age UK and the Tesco Community fund.

The goal is to make each activity self-sufficient. Freedom Leisure has supported this and ensured the activities continue to take place by making its facilities available, reducing entrance costs, and providing free tea and coffee.

The Freedom Leisure Healthy Communities programme supports both the physical and mental wellbeing of older adults. It also aligns with the Active Rother Partnership which aims to increase sport and physical activity participation across all age groups in Rother.

To find out more about the activities featured in these videos, contact Bexhill Leisure Centre on 01424 731171 or email bexhillcentreenquiries@freedom-leisure.co.uk

The activities are examples of what is available at Bexhill Leisure Centre and Bexhill Leisure Pool. These are all part of the Freedom Leisure Healthy Communities Programme in Rother.

For further information see Active Communities Rother website: https://www.activerother.org.uk/

Follow the Active Rother YouTube channel for videos on how to get active in Rother: https://www.youtube.com/@activerother2678/videos

Source: https://www.activerother.org.uk/the-positive-impact-of-walking-sport-activities-for-older-people/

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