Residents at Hafod y Mawddach residential home in Barmouth have been getting active thanks to a new initiative introduced by Gwynedd Council’s Provider and Leisure service.
In an effort to work together as one team under the Provider and Leisure service, staff and management from the Pavilion Leisure Centre, Barmouth have been working closely with Hafod Mawddach residential home to provide fun, light exercise sessions at Hafod Mawddach.
Leisure Centre staff have been making weekly visits to the home, working with the Hafod Mawddach staff on the fun sessions that include gentle stretching and strengthening exercises, that can be adapted to suit all capabilities.
Jonna Jones, Manager of the Pavilion Leisure Centre in Barmouth for Gwynedd Council said:
“I am delighted that we have been able to play such a key role in the excellent initiative. The sessions are thoroughly enjoyed by our staff, and the residents and staff of Hafod Mawddach, who look forward eagerly to our visits every Thursday.
“Special ramps and aids are used which means that everybody gets to have a go and join in, and the boccia and ten pin bowling have proven to be very popular amongst the residents. Some of the residents are real experts, and things can get quite competitive at times!
“This is just the beginning for us, as we already have plans in hand to team up with other local Council departments and community groups in a new community gardening initiative in the near future. We also hope to invite some of Hafod Mawddach’s residents up to the centre to join in with our themed Family/Community sessions planned for the summer.”
In a recent Inspection of the Home, the work was highly commended, and especially noted by the inspectors that this initiative is not only leading the way in Gwynedd, but that it’s the first of its kind in the whole of Wales.
Councillor Paul Thomas, Healthy Gwynedd Portfolio Leader said:
“As a Council we are working hard to ensure the best possible service for our customers. This initiative is a brilliant example of collaboration within the Provider and Leisure Service for the benefit of Gwynedd residents.
“We have qualified staff in our centres throughout the county, who are always available to help and to offer support to customers. It is great to see the same service being provided outside the walls of the centres, and I’m very grateful to the staff for their commitment and hard work.
“We aim to be extended this initiative to other parts of Gwynedd.”
Gwynedd Council has leisure centres across the county which offer a wide range of health and fitness activities. For more information about what is available and the opening hours visit your local Gwynedd Council Leisure Centre or the website www.gwynedd.gov.uk/leisure
