Longford nursing home receives grant

The Age & Opportunity Active National Grant Scheme is a combined initiative with Sport Ireland and has distributed €66,010 to care settings across the country.

The scheme was launched in September 2022 and is open to all nursing homes and day care settings who aim to increase levels and frequency of participation in physical activity, of those in care.

The grant also supports the work of CarePALs. These are staff and volunteers from care settings who have undertaken the Age & Opportunity Active CarePALs course, which empowers them to lead suitable physical activity sessions with those who live or visit their setting.

Minister of State for Sport and the Gaeltacht Jack Chambers (pictured) said: “The long-running Age & Opportunity Active National Grant Scheme has proven an excellent resource in enabling older people to become more physically active. The grants announced today recognise the importance of physical activity for those who live in and use nursing homes and day centres. Approximately 13,000 people will benefit from these grants.

“I want to thank Age & Opportunity for their ongoing work in providing opportunities for older people in nursing homes and care centres and I wish them continued success in their valuable work with communities across Ireland”.

Speaking about the grant, Dr Una May, Chief Executive of Sport Ireland, welcomed Age & Opportunity Active programme’s focus this time on nursing homes and care centres.

“We are delighted to award funding to the Age & Opportunity Active National Grant Scheme. Given the circumstances that people who live in nursing homes have found themselves in these last couple of years due to COVID-19, keeping physically active or returning to activity is more important than ever. The grant acts as a valuable resource in getting more older people more active and we are delighted to share the good news of these grants today.”

Karen Horgan, CEO of Age & Opportunity, said the funding is helping create an Ireland where more older people can be more active. “The allocation of these grants ensures that the benefits of physical activity in care settings is promoted and recognised, and allows us to support care settings in developing meaningful activities that will have a valuable impact on both the physical and mental health of the residents and clients.”