CARE home residents and colleagues across England are celebrating the Commonwealth Games by hosting their own inclusive sporting tournament, embracing the benefits of physical activity in later life.
Setting the tone for the Games, and backed by sporting legends, The Anchor Games is an initiative launched by Anchor, England’s largest provider of specialist housing and care for people in later life.
Throughout July and August, residents and colleagues are competing in a wide range of inclusive activities to harness the mental, social and physical benefits of movement in later life.
Anchor’s Madeleine House care home in Birmingham – the host city of this year’s Commonwealth Games – is inviting seven other Anchor homes from the area to celebrate the local buzz with a raft of sporting competitions for residents and colleagues including javelin throwing, hurdles and relay races.
Bilton Court care home in Northamptonshire welcomed two special guests to mark the first day of the games.
Local sporting legend and Britain’s first black female Olympian, Anita Neil, won medals at the 1970 Commonwealth Games and 1969 European Championships.
She will be joined by Canisus Alcindor, who has represented Team GB at the Commonwealth Games as a high jumper. During their visit, Anita and Canisus will share some of their very own sporting memorabilia and will cheer on residents and colleagues as they participate in a track and a high jump event in their honour.
A bbq and medals ceremony will complete the day of celebrations.