This week Newport Live is launching a new programme of activity to support residents with keeping physically active during the current pandemic. This includes a schedule of Low Intensity Training which will be shared weekly online as well as the introduction of virtual coffee mornings and other activity to help keep customers active and connected. The new sessions are tailored specifically for people aged 60 and older, although they are also suitable for others who have had their access to physical activity restricted due to the national guidelines and lockdown. Further session will be introduced including health and nutrition tips, making exercise achievable, measuring physical and psychological progress and digital 1 to 1s.

This activity has been introduced to support people aged 60 and over at home whilst Newport Live is unable to welcome customers to its leisure facilities during the lockdown. However, the organisation is looking to introduce further in-person programmes and sessions which will be shared once its centres are permitted to welcome customers back. These activities enhance the Over 60s programme already on offer from Newport Live including free swimming and Active 60 and Aqua 60 memberships.   

Newport Live is joining other leisure providers across Wales to support healthy lifestyles and participation in physical activity for those aged over 60. The programme of activity has been made possible thanks to funding from Sport Wales and the Welsh Government.

Steve Ward, Chief Executive for Newport Live said “We’re very grateful to Sport Wales and the Welsh Government for this funding which will help us to support those over 60, as well as the wider community with keeping active during these challenging times. We know keeping active has amazing benefits for your mental and physical health and we are continuing to support and encourage as many people as possible with taking part in physical activity. These online sessions complement our other digital activity to help people stay Happy and Healthy at Home and provide opportunities to take part in exercise in a safe and responsible way until we are able to welcome people back to our facilities.”

The programme is funded by Sport Wales whose CEO Sarah Powell said “We want people in Wales to have a lifelong enjoyment of sport and by working with partners to help provide additional or supplemented offers that aim to specifically meet the needs of the over 60’s locally we hope that we see even more individuals from this demographic staying or getting active.

“Over the past year we’ve all had to think even more about how we keep ourselves healthy, probably in different ways to what we would have done prior to the coronavirus outbreak.  We know that being physically active is one way that can help in keeping us mentally and physically fit, while providing a brilliant way of keeping connected with others.  So I urge people to take a look through their local authority at the different opportunities that are available to help them in doing this.”

For more details on the activity being provided by Newport Live, visit our social media channels or visit www.newportlive.co.uk/c/newportlivewales on YouTube.