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Residents compete in inaugural care home Olympics

BBC Two ladies smiling at the camera. They are both holding Union flags and Olympic flags. They are sitting on wooden deckchairs on a paved area in a garden. Behind them is a banner that reads "Go for Gold 2024" in gold letteringBBC
Residents have been getting into the Olympic spirit

Residents at a care home near Hull have been taking part in their very own Olympic tournament.

Magnolia House, in Cottingham, is one of six homes across the North that have been competing against each other in the first Park Lane Olympics.

From chair basketball to the discus throw, residents said they had thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Activities co-ordinator Amy Robinson hailed the event as a great success.

"It's been brilliant to see different residents getting involved who wouldn't necessarily involve themselves in the normal active games," she said.

"Because it's the Olympics, they're all for it!"

The homes that went head-to-head were:

  • Magnolia House, Cottingham
  • Moorgate Croft, Rotherham
  • Moorgate Hollow, Rotherham
  • Moorgate Lodge, Rotherham
  • The Hall, Thornton-le-Dale, North Yorkshire
  • Croston Park, Croston, Lancashire

"We all have the same kind of games, and the winner receives a fabulous big gold trophy," she added.

A man prepares to throw a paper plate. He is in a garden with flag bunting behind him and two other residents
From the discus throw to chair basketball, residents have been trying out all sorts of events

Ms Robinson said the residents were treated to a Parisian breakfast for their opening ceremony.

"We did croissants, crepes and a little visual tour of Paris," she said.

"We had a lady who tried her first croissant at 102!"

Pauline Dobson, 76, was full of praise for Ms Robinson and the "brilliant" tournament.

"Everything she comes up with are all such delights that none of us refuse to come," she said.

"We do everything that she asks us. We love it."

Amy Robinson has light brown hair and is wearing a turquoise top. She is high-fiving Pauline, who is wearing a pink top and glasses
Amy Robinson said she planned to do it all again in 2028

Ms Robinson said: "It's been a really positively-welcomed, different activity that they've really got involved with.

"The engagement for the residents and the memories that it's made have just been brilliant... They've loved it."

Unfortunately for Magnolia House, the team from The Hall won overall, but there did not seem to be any hard feelings from Margaret Savage, 81.

"Everything's friendly, everything's friendly," she said. "It's a very friendly place."

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