Pensioners at an Edinburgh care home rolled back the years and channelled their inner Robin Hood during archery lessons designed to keep them active.
Those at Cramond Residence were introduced to archery as their latest activity in a long list of seasonal outings to improve their wellbeing and independence.
Proving that you're never too old to pick up a new hobby or try something for the first time, local residents loved getting the chance to brush up on their target practice skills.
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The initial idea was thought of by Lifestyle Coordinator Garylee Rushford who said he saw archery equipment online and knew the residents would love it.
He said: “It really was a spur of the moment idea – when I was purchasing new sports equipment for the home, I saw an archery kit online and thought it would be a great outdoor activity to try with our residents.
“Initially, the idea of archery was a very alien concept as none of the residents had ever engaged with such an activity before. However, we ended up seeing a huge turnout - with around 20 residents participating in the first session – so we decided to make the activity a regular addition.
“The residents have been loving trying out archery – there’s always lots of laughs and smiles, which is always so rewarding to see. It’s been a great hit!”
As well as archery, residents within the 74-bedroom care home enjoy an array of events and other types of sports to encourage them to stay on their toes and improve physical wellbeing
Garylee continued: “Physical engagement is vital in supporting the mental stimulation and physical needs of our residents, as well as creating a happy and thriving environment for them to enjoy.
“Working in conjunction with our physiotherapy team, we offer at least one physical activity every day. We have seen that increased activity aids mobility and reduces the likelihood of falls occurring amongst residents, creating a safer living environment.
“We offer a wide range of sporting activities at Cramond Residence - from boules, to tennis, to dance. We even held a sports day for the residents, which was a great success.”
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