Caring residents win coveted lively journey award
A DEDICATED group of people who run a weekly strolling group have been acknowledged by the nation’s strolling charity at its annual awards presentation.
Portobello Promenade – Ageing Effectively has received the distinguished Dementia Pleasant Strolling Volunteer Group of the 12 months at Paths for All’s Volunteer Awards.
The group, arrange with Edinburgh Leisure, allows people to stroll at a leisurely tempo throughout the seaside promenade as a manner of holding individuals lively and linked who could in any other case wrestle to take action. Greater than 20 members be a part of the walks on a weekly foundation, a few of whom reside with dementia. The Ageing Effectively group has accommodating these people via specialist coaching which has been coordinated by Paths for All and Edinburgh Leisure.
Volunteer Stroll Chief, David Simpson stated: “The group was arrange a few years in the past to supply individuals with an outlet to come back and work together with others whereas additionally holding lively.
“There’s a big number of people who attend our walks and a few of these individuals do reside with dementia, for them – and their family members and carers – it’s an ideal likelihood to get out and about and converse with different individuals who could also be residing with one thing related.”
“As Stroll Leaders we try to do our greatest to maintain the members pleased and motivated.”
“Whereas holding lively is nice, it’s the social side of strolling which I really feel is actually highly effective, and so changing into a Stroll Chief was a simple technique to give again to my group.”
Kay Parsons, Lively Communities Supervisor (Volunteers) at Edinburgh Leisure, stated:
“Profitable the Paths for All’s Dementia Pleasant Strolling Volunteer Group of the 12 months 2023 award is testomony to the onerous work, friendliness, and talent of all of the volunteers to make these attending really feel included and welcome.
“The Ageing Effectively Portobello Strolling group volunteers have been going for years, holding our Dementia Pleasant stroll getting into all weathers in Scotland. They go up and down Portobello Promenade, and for a lot of of our 20-30 odd weekly members, that is the one time they get outdoors into the contemporary air.
“They get to benefit from the seaside air, a stroll and a chat and tea in a restaurant afterwards. The volunteers preserve them motivated and laughing, and one participant instructed me she “forgets she has Dementia when on a stroll with the volunteers.”
Hosted by the BBC Scotland’s Fiona Stalker, with awards offered by sponsoring MSP Nicola Sturgeon, the occasion recognised 10 teams and people all through Scotland who’ve gone the additional mile to maintain their communities lively.
Maree Todd, Minister for Social Care, Psychological Wellbeing and Sport “Supporting individuals in Scotland to stroll and wheel is a key a part of our imaginative and prescient of a rustic the place extra individuals are extra lively, extra typically.
“An enormous variety of extremely motivated and expert individuals are serving to us ship this imaginative and prescient, particularly the passionate volunteers who achieve this a lot to assist others overcome challenges to participation and facilitate actions throughout the nation.
“They are surely inspirational, the popularity from Paths for All in these Awards may be very effectively deserved.”
Kevin Lafferty, Chief Govt Officer at Paths for All, stated: “Yearly I’m blown away on the variety of unbelievable teams and volunteers on the market decided to make a distinction. The work carried out by volunteers is instantly bettering the nation’s bodily, psychological and social well being, lowering social isolation and loneliness and serving to individuals make extra environmentally pleasant way of life decisions.
“It’s been implausible internet hosting the awards on the Scottish Parliament once more this 12 months, I all the time take pleasure in getting to socialize with our wonderful volunteers and listen to first-hand concerning the invaluable contributions they’ve been making.
“Thanks to everybody for his or her efforts and ongoing dedication.”
Paths for All works with the Scottish Authorities and 30 companions to assist and ship nationwide insurance policies, such because the Nationwide Strolling Technique and different ‘lively journey’ initiative to enhance the psychological, social and bodily well being of the nation.
The charity awards 1000’s of kilos value of grants to worthwhile tasks that enhance well being, promote strolling and enhance environments for individuals to be lively in – making for a happier, more healthy, greener Scotland.
To search out out extra about Ageing Effectively walks in your space go to: https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/ageing-well-walks
A full listing of Volunteer Award winners 2023 will be discovered on Paths for All’s web site: http://www.pathsforall.org.uk/volunteerawards
