THE CARE HOME LEGENDS 

Thornaby Pavilion was the setting for a unique sporting occasion, as residents from 4 different care homes proved age is just a number when they tackled a number of different sporting events at the Care Homes Legends event.

The Ingleby Incredibles, Beeches Braves, Mighty Mandale and Whitehouse Warriors were joined in the Funky4Life warm up by children from Thornaby Pavilions Treetop Nursery. The competitors competed in a keenly contested Balloon Keepy Up competition, Netball Shoot out, The Pavilion Putting Open, Table Tennis, Indoor Curling, Magnetic Darts and Stockton has definitely got some budding Robin Hood and Maid Marion’s as the Indoor Archery proved very popular.

The pilot event which was organised by Tees Active, Stockton Councils Transformation Team and the care homes, were fortunate to have the invaluable assistance from the Year 11 pupils from St Michaels RC Academy in Billingham and the Funky4Life warm up was led by Leanne Oxley from Stockton’s Active Lives Team.

Tees Active’s marketing team streamed live into to care homes so residents who were not attending the event were able to watch and cheer on their fellow residents.

Allan McDermott, Tees Actives Community Engagement Manger said “Everybody has had a great time and watching the residents interacting with the children and participating with a smile on their face was fantastic.  We will take what we have learned from this event and start planning for a larger event in 2023.”

Ben Brown Deputy Manager from the White House Care Home added “”I was overwhelmed by the commitment and naturally caring nature of the pupils from St. Michaels. They really shone. They brought a sense of fun competition which was nice for the care home legends to experience.

Funky Feet and Treetops provided the best ice breaker / warm up session. It was amazing to watch this mix of generations and services gel so wonderfully together.

The whole thing was so well organised and thought out. Even down to live streaming the event to friends and families. This expanded inclusive reach of the games. The guys back at the home had a great time watching and cheering us on.

Thank you all for such an amazing experience. We can’t wait for the next one!”

The last words should  go to some of the Care Home Legends. Edith Ayre who lives at The Beeches, “I never knew I could do netball I got 10 baskets in a row and the girls said I could join their team!  The archery was great I couldn’t believe I hit the target so many times.  What a wonderful day it was.”

Dorothy Sleightholme who lives at Mandale House, “The little children were so cute when we were doing the warmup, they made me smile and want to take them all back home with me.”

Alex from White House Care Home said “I had a smashing time! We had some good laughs and that young lad I met was real gent. Really good lad”

Kathleen from White House Care Home  said “I had a brilliant time darling. I loved it, I just loved it. It was so nice seeing everyone and all the little ones together. I loved it”

For further information contact Allan McDermott, Community Engagement Manager on (01642) 528772 or 07795 390786 or e-mail [email protected]