A total of 1,921 residents of Ipswich and across Suffolk benefited from the inclusive sports sessions, exercise activities, support hubs and gardening programmes of ActivLives, a local charity in Ipswich over the year. These programmes and services supported the physical and mental wellbeing of the people in various communities in Suffolk particularly older people and individuals with mental health need, physical and learning disability. 1,209 women and 712 men in the county participated in the charity’s services including falls prevention exercises, lunch club, singing group, and health walks at the Christchurch Park.
Volunteerism was also strong in the communities with around sixty ActivLives volunteers provided help to implement well-being programmes. In the People’s Community Garden and Chantry Walled Garden in Ipswich, and Belle Vue Park in Sudbury, local people come together to support gardening projects that promote mental health and skills development. Inclusive and accessible boccia and badminton tournaments were held in Ipswich the past year to encourage athletes with physical and learning disability to play sports through the charity’s ActivSport programme.
“As a volunteer and family member, ActivLives inclusive sports tournament was a great success. It is good for players’ mental and physical health and well-being – the exercise and the connection, the physical and mental activity, with other people…” a volunteer and athlete’s parent in the inclusive badminton tournament said.
A 76-year-old participant of the charity’s Better Balance falls prevention exercise shared how it helped her after a hip injury. “The sessions have definitely helped with my mobility; my body feels much looser. I feel more positive and its good speaking to people in similar situations”, she said.
The charity has been changing people’s lives across Ipswich and Suffolk since 2006 with its partners, funders, volunteers and staff. All information about its programmes and services can be accessed through its website activlives.org.uk.