The Arbor Hotshots take the Twilight Games Winter Championship Title!

Following the continued success of the Twilight Games programme, the 2019 Winter Championships took place on Saturday 9^th November at Lutterworth College. Residents from 4 care homes competed, with the day filled with competitiveness, fun and lots of laughter!

The Care Homes taking part were:

• Arbor House Leicester
• Lenthall House Market Harborough
• Kirby House Leicester Forest East
• Thurn Court Care Home

On the day of the Championships, 3 competitions took place for teams to compete against each other in a round-robin styled fixture list. The activity schedule included boccia, seated volleyball and audio basketball.

The Championships add competitiveness to the programme, however the general aims of the Twilight Games is to increase mobility, mental health and wellbeing and increased social activity, exercised by residents in their own setting.

Funding for the event and overall programme for 2019 was through the National Lottery Community Fund. Overall 20 care homes and 12 community settings have befitted from receiving training and equipment to be able to play the activities on a regular basis. Lutterworth College were very supportive in allowing us to use their facilities for the event.

The day concluded with each care home awarded for their huge efforts in participation with medals and a certificate. The winners were the residents from Arbor House – the 'Arbor Hotshots' who regained their title following their success at the initial championships in 2018.

Leicester-Shire & Rutland Sport have been working in partnership with Mayfield Lifeskills Centre to deliver the programme and host the event.

Sport Development Officer, Kate Scott, said:

"The day has been a another great success following a true partnership effort with LRS, Mayfields Lifeskills Centre and care homes working together to create a programme of activity for our older generation. To see all the athletes taking part in such an enthusiastic and competitive manner just goes to show that you are never too old to take part in sport".

Sue, Team Coach for the 'Arbor Hotshots' said:

" The Twilight Games activities have transformed the lives of the residents at Arbor House. We play at least one activity a day , the favourite being Boccia , as the majority of residents played lawn bowls in their youth. Residents interact more , exercise more and laugh more "