Grant from Asda Foundation boosts group classes for rural elderly in Park village

Angela McGilligan (Chairperson and volunteer at Park 60+), Min McCann, (Community Development Officer with the Learmount Community Development Group) and Emma Kelly, (Asda Strabane Community Champion)

placeholder image — Angela McGilligan (Chairperson and volunteer at Park 60+), Min McCann, (Community Development Officer with the Learmount Community Development Group) and Emma Kelly, (Asda Strabane Community Champion)

Park 60+ Group has 20 members and aims to foster connections between members of the rural community

A north-west luncheon club for over-60s has hosted armchair aerobics classes and meditation sessions for its members, thanks to a £600 grant from Asda’s charity, the Asda Foundation.

Based in Park village, Co Derry, Park 60+ Group has 20 members and aims to foster connections between members of the rural community.

Secretary and volunteer Karen O’Kane said: “Our members are rurally isolated and are often very lonely. Park 60+ Group helps with this. By belonging to the group, they feel valued and part of the community.

“The grant from the Asda Foundation was brilliant and went a long way to making a difference in the lives of our members, helping to improve both their physical and mental well-being through the lovely activities and events we were able to host. But not just that – the funding has helped strengthen community resilience, reduce social isolation and build that all-important sense of belonging that each of us needs to live a fulfilling life.

“A huge thank you to the Asda Foundation, and our friends at Asda Strabane, for their support.”

Park 60+ Group currently has 20 members aged from 74 to 95. Run entirely by volunteers, the group, which has a legacy of around 40 years in the area, meets for two hours every Thursday. Members enjoy a light lunch, followed by a group activity, bringing locals into a social setting who mainly live alone. Transport to and from events is supported by Easilink rural community transport.

Emma Kelly, Community Champion at Asda Strabane, said: “This group provides a fantastic service for older people in this rural community, and we’re delighted support from the Asda Foundation was able to make a positive difference.”