OVER 60s across Washington still have time to sign up to a national campaign by designed to help them become more physically and mentally active at Washington and other local leisure centres.
The Age is Just a Number initiative is being run by Everyone Active in partnership with Sunderland City Council, to encourage the older generation to get active or try out a new physical activity.
Everyone Active, which runs Washington Leisure Centre among others across Wearside and beyond, has been organising the initiative for the past five years and this year’s campaign runs until November 17.
The scheme aims to improve the lives of over 60s, increasing fitness levels, aiding weight loss, improving mobility and generally having a positive impact on their mental health.
Among those previously helped via the services is Washington’s Brian Denton, who has made incredible improvements to his physical and mental recovery following two traumatic life events.
Brian signed up last October, fourteen months after he was rushed into intensive care with pneumonia and was placed in an induced coma for 17 days.
During that two-and-a-half-week period, Brian’s wife Patricia tragically died of cancer. When he came round, not only could he neither speak nor lift a pencil, he also had to begin to deal with the trauma of losing his soulmate.
For the next year, Brian struggled both physically and mentally until encouraged by health professionals and friends, he started to get out of the house more and eventually joined Washington Leisure Centre.
“My friends said to me that I had to make a choice. I could either go to the pub or club every day and wallow in my own pity, or go the other way,” said Brian, 74.
“I just thought, I’ve got to go in the leisure centre and sign up and start getting myself fit.”
Brian started by swimming – the first time he had swum in nearly sixty years. He also used the treadmill in the gym and later added personal training sessions with Everyone Active personal trainer Liam King.
Brian now swims five times a week and attends the gym three times a week. He can swim a mile in the pool and walks a minimum of 7,000 steps a day, having considerably built up his stamina and strength.
“Going to the centre has given me a purpose and a reason to get out of bed,” he added. “As a single person living in a four-bedroom, detached house, I’ve got somewhere to go where people will talk to me.
“I’m starting to become a fitness junkie. Every time I’ve been to the centre, I feel energised and ready for the day. It’s absolutely brilliant. I’m 74 but I feel as if I’m 24.
“Without Liam supporting and encouraging me, I might have dropped off, but he’s been good. He’s always talked to me and acknowledged me, so he’s been part of this journey.
“The leisure centre has given me strength, structure and hope. If I can do it, other people can too.”
Ian Bradgate, Everyone Active’s contract manager, said: “We are proud to offer our members a friendly and welcoming environment that motivates people of all ages to get active.
“Maintaining physical activity and keeping socially active is vitally important for older people in the local community.
“This campaign aims to inspire people to try a new activity or engage in simple exercises each week at home, helping people of all abilities discover the different ways they can enjoy exercise.”
This year’s campaign is running until November 17 and anyone interested can learn more and sign up via the Everyone Active website, where they can discover more about local sessions and facilities, as well as being in with a chance to win a six-month membership.
*Along with Washington Leisure Centre, other centres across Wearside include: Sunderland Aquatic Centre, Raich Carter Sports Centre, Houghton Sports and Wellness Centre, Hetton Community Pool and Wellness Centre, Silksworth Community Pool, Tennis and Wellness Centre and Silksworth Sports Complex and Ski Slope.
