Coronavirus (COVID-19) - SASP launches Older People Active at Home Packs across Somerset to keep people moving

South Somerset District Council has linked with the Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership (SASP) to distribute an Active at Home Pack for older people and those with long term health conditions who may be self-isolating, shielding or spending a lot of time at home.

The packs which contains an elastic resistance band (latex), a helpful booklet with exercise instructions and a self-isolating sticker which can be stuck on your window or door to let people know you are self-isolating.

200 packs were piloted in the Minehead area initially, where the packs could be collected from supermarkets during their priority shopping times for vulnerable and older people.  The packs were also distributed through housing associations to the sheltered housing properties where older people live.

Jake Hannis, Senior Operations Manager of SASP says; “We understand it can be difficult to keep active when having to stay at home.  This is especially the case for older people and those with long term health conditions, as they do not all have access to digital content to become active, which other adults and young people are currently accessing. It is, however, important to move more for your physical and mental health and wellbeing.  We have been so pleased with the positive response that this initiative has had, and we hope our packs help in small ways to some of the residents of Somerset."

Sheila, 87 from Minehead was one of the first recipients to receive a pack and she said: “I received a packet through my door after my daughter requested one for me, and I was very intrigued to start with.  It included a yellow latex band and some suggested exercises in a booklet.  I could hardly put my socks on to start with although I am improving.  The exercises are simple, and you can do them sitting down or standing up.  I highly recommend them as you can’t go out when you are self-isolating."

The four district councils in Somerset will now be distributing a further 1,500 packs through local COVID-19 support groups and through the wellbeing hubs which are supplying food parcels and other supplies to their residents in most urgent need.  Further support is being provided by SPARK, who are a voluntary sector organisation providing support to communities to respond to COVID-19 and though their Corona Helpers website, have provided a network to distribute the packs.