Sports Social for Islington's elders

Festive sports social for Islington’s elders 

Age UK Islington clients marked the festive season at their regular weekly sports social run at Sobell Leisure Centre by GLL.  There was an article in the Islington Tribune.

(Left to right) Mikael Kiviniemi, Dan Bank, GLL

The Sobell Better Get Together is an affordable weekly sports session. Participants can choose from playing table tennis, soft tennis, badminton, bowls and dominoes.  There’s also the opportunity to use the gym and take part in a Zumba class.  Daniel Bank, Community Sports Officer GLL says “There are lots of health benefits to the session. It can help keep people mobile and help reduce the risk of falls. Zumba is a particularly good session to help people to maintain their balance”.

Mikael Kiviniemi, Islington Sports Manager GLL, explained “We set up the regular weekly sports social with as much emphasis on the social as on the activity. It’s a really popular session that we run in conjunction with Age UK Islington every Tuesday morning. It’s 2.5 hours and a great way of helping older people keep active.  People can take their time, chat and drop in for as long as they want.”

(Left to right) Paul, Holloway, Jim, Archway, George, Holloway

Jim says “From playing bowls, I’ve got to know people.  You play and chat every week. I like to get out every day if I can.”  George took part in the last world war and has been playing bowls for 20 years!

Paul says, “I come back to the Sobell session for the bowls.  It can get competitive!”

Alan says “It gets me out of the house – it’s marvellous, a lovely group of people and nice to do something festive. It’s great, especially if I win at dominoes!”

Richard, Holloway, shared that “I used to play badminton when I was younger.  After a heart operation, I did cardio rehab in the Sobell gym. I saw the sports social session going on and it was this that got me back to playing again, 30 years later!”

Freed, Holloway, says “It’s inspiring to see people in their 70s and 80s running around, full of energy! A few years back my GP told me that I was pre-diabetic and to get some exercise.  I took their advice and after coming to the Sobell sports session and another exercise session once a week, after 3 months my blood sugar levels went back to normal.”

(Left to right) Freed, Holloway, Carmen Alcovedes, Activities Co-ordinator, Age UK Islington, Richard, Holloway  

(Left to right) Laura, Finsbury Park,  Comfort, Finsbury Park

Comfort Ajayi, Finsbury Park, says “I love it all! It’s full of community spirit and it’s great being able to take part in different activities.”

Kaya (left) and Shefika, Holloway, are a couple who regularly attend the session. “It’s something to do together and with other people”, says Shefika.  “I’ve made friends here and it’s a great way to get some exercise,” says Kaya.

Katie Skea, Communications Manager, Age UK Islington, said: “Many people in Islington have been socially isolated in the last year during the Covid pandemic.

“We’ve been doing everything we can to encourage people to meet up again safely. Back in October, we had a Let’s Get Back Together campaign, working with partners to promote and deliver activities in the community. It was great to be able to mark the festive season with some festive fayre at the Sobell Better Get Together.”