(Image: Stuart Boulton)
Residents and staff from eight care homes across Darlington came together for an afternoon of competition at the town’s second ‘care home Olympics.’
The event was held at Firthmoor Community Centre on Friday, August 21, following the success of the games last year.
Organised by Grosvenor Park Care Home, part of Marton Care Homes, the event saw residents take part in a programme of Olympic-themed activities adapted for older people.
Darlington Care Home Olympics at Firthmoor Community Centre.
(Image: Stuart Boulton)
Competitors from each of the homes were supported by care staff as they took on a series of challenges during the afternoon, with medals awarded before the overall winners received the care home Olympics trophy.
The event began with an opening parade around the recreation area, with each home choosing its own music to accompany its team.
Reigning champions Grosvenor Park entered to ‘Queen’s We Are the Champions’ as they looked to retain the trophy.
While residents took centre stage during much of the afternoon, staff also joined in with a wheelchair race and three-legged race.
Darlington Care Home Olympics at Firthmoor Community Centre.
(Image: Stuart Boulton)
Pictures from the day showed residents getting stuck into the hula hoop challenges, sporting brightly coloured headbands and cheering on their teams as the competition got under way.
Angela Hutchinson, Care Home Manager at Grosvenor Park Care Home, said: "We're absolutely delighted with how today's Care Home Olympics went.
"It was fantastic to see residents from eight care homes across Darlington coming together, getting involved in the different events and cheering each other on.
“There was a brilliant atmosphere throughout the afternoon and seeing how much the residents enjoyed taking part made all the work that goes into organising the event worthwhile.
Darlington Care Home Olympics at Firthmoor Community Centre.
(Image: Stuart Boulton)
“I'd particularly like to thank Jemma Redhead, our Care Activities Coordinator at Grosvenor Park, and Louise Liddle, Wellbeing Lead at Riverside View Care Home, for all their hard work and support in helping to make today's event such a success.
"To have brought the Care Home Olympics back for a second year means a great deal to us. When we first organised the event last year, we wanted to create something that would bring care homes across Darlington together and give residents an opportunity to meet new people, enjoy some friendly competition and have fun.
Darlington Care Home Olympics at Firthmoor Community Centre.
(Image: Stuart Boulton)
“The response was so positive that there was a real appetite to do it again, and it's wonderful to see the event growing and the relationships between the different homes becoming even stronger.
Darlington Care Home Olympics at Firthmoor Community Centre.
(Image: Stuart Boulton)
Read more
Pictures as crowds enjoy free concert by 17-piece band in Darlington town centre
All the food and drink traders lined up for Darlington’s Bank Holiday Weekender
‘Superb relationships’ and progress praised by inspectors at North East nursery
"After seeing the response again this year, we'd certainly love to bring the Care Home Olympics back for a third year. It's becoming a really special event for the homes involved, and we'd love to see it continue to grow and give even more residents across Darlington the opportunity to take part."
The annual event was originally intended to help build links between care homes across the town, while giving residents the chance to meet people from other homes and take part in activities together.
The competition had previously featured residents aged up to 90 taking part in events including egg and spoon and hula hoop races.