Elderly to benefit from grant for physical activities

Wicklow clubs, groups, care settings and organisations that promote increased participation in recreational sport or physical activity for older people are encouraged to apply for the Age & Opportunity National Grant Scheme.

The Active National Grant Scheme for Sport and Physical Activity for Older People aims to assist in implementing locally developed, well-planned initiatives designed to increase participation in recreational sport and physical activity by older people.

Grants will be between €250 and €700, although joint applications or applications from Community Development Programmes (CDPs), Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) etc. that provide wider access to community groups may be allocated funding outside these limits.

In particular, the scheme is aimed at supporting the work of Age & Opportunity’s Active Programme, including the network of PALs (Physical Activity Leaders) and CarePALs, and the development of Go for Life, games and other initiatives, assisting local clubs/organisations/care settings to enhance existing opportunities for their members in recreational sport and physical activity.

The scheme is also aimed at assisting local clubs/organisations/care settings to start new initiatives geared at involving older people in recreational sports and physical activity, encouraging all sports clubs to provide new initiatives within their clubs aimed at getting older people back to their sport and assisting those working in care settings (both nursing homes and daycare settings) to introduce more initiatives to increase the physical activity levels of those in their care.

Funding for sports clubs will only be considered if the application specifically relates to older people (aged 50+ years).

The purchase of equipment/ resource materials, like Go for Life Games equipment, pitch and putt set, physical activity kitbag, badminton racquets, or participation events like organising regular Go for Life Games or a Sportsfest aimed at introducing older people to a range of recreational sports are also eligible for funding.

Completed application forms must be submitted to Age & Opportunity at ageandopportunity.ie before 12 p.m. on Friday, March 1. Grant allocations will be announced at the end of April.