Lambwood Heights residents went for gold as they participated in their very first Summer Olympic games

Our residents at Lambwood Heights Care Home took part in their very first Olympics games. As the 2020 Tokyo Olympics had been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, the home thought it would be a great idea to host their own version of the games through a week long competition.

Going for Gold

Residents and their teams went head to head in a number of different events and challenges in the quest to be crowned home champions. Events included an egg and spoon race, rhythmic gymnastics with ribbons, bean bag shot-put, boules tournament, balloon volleyball and many more.

There were two sporting events every afternoon where residents could nominate either themselves or one of their team members to participate in the events. Along with the challenges residents also kept fit by successfully walking a 5-mile distance between them across the duration of the games.

Opening Ceremony

The opening ceremony was conducted by Oakland Care’s Director of Care and Governance, Pauline Cichy, who did the ribbon cutting honours whilst Home Manager Sonia Kasese and residents cheered on.

Preparations had been well underway a week before the games started as the Lifestyles team had also made a custom-made Olympic torch which featured in the opening ceremony.

Egg and spoon race

The games kicked off with a classic egg and spoon race which saw our residents Sylvia and Ishbel going head to head. It was a neck and neck clash and, in the end, both residents came in joint first place.

Bean bag shot-put Finals

The bean bag shot-put finals saw our residents Ronald and Winnie in a back and forth battle on who could throw the bean bag the furthest. After a thrilling match Ron finally took home first place with his record breaking 6.8 metre throw.

Rhythmic Gymnastics

The Olympic games were in full swing at this point and the rhythmic gymnastics event proved to be a hit with the residents. Our wonderful resident Sylvia thoroughly enjoyed the event as she learnt the skill very quickly and was eager to create different shapes with the ribbons.

Beachball volleyball

Residents and their teams enjoyed a fun game of volleyball in the garden as the sun was shining throughout the day. Everyone stopped mid-match for some much-needed ice-lollies, fruit and water before finishing the day off with a boules tournament.

Bean bag precision tournament

The games continued over the weekend and were closed out by a very competitive bean bag sequence precision tournament. Residents Ron and Winnie continued their rivalry in the quest to be crowned home champion as the challenge turned out to be a lot harder than it looked.

House Champion

The Lambwood Heights Summer Olympic games finally came to an end and our lovely resident Ronald Maidman was crowned the overall House Champion. Ron absolutely loved taking part in the Olympics and fought every event with great enthusiasm and confidence.

At the closing ceremony Ron gave a very touching speech to say thank you to the lifestyles team for all of their time and effort that went into creating a memorable event for all residents.

Ron said, “The idea of the Olympic games was brilliant! I loved taking part in some friendly competition and also enjoyed getting involved in all of the preparations. My favourite event was definitely the egg and spoon race!”

The events were designed to give residents a fun and enjoyable experience of sport whilst highlighting the importance of physical activity within a care setting.

Lifestyles Manager Aimee Basham said, “I’m really happy with how the event went and how our residents gave it their all. It was fun seeing them use old and new skills and try things they’d never tried before!

“My personal highlight was the Rhythmic Gymnastics with ribbons, as the colours looked lovely in the sunshine and we had one resident who worked her way up to using 2 ribbons at once like a pro. I also enjoyed the various “victory dances” that we got to witness!”

All of the residents were awarded individual prizes for their efforts in the Summer Olympic games and they enjoyed some champagne after a well fought sporting event.

Find out more about Lambwood Heights Care Home.