A charity in Lincoln is making elderly people feel young again through computer games.
Age UK, on Park Street, use a Nintendo Wii to help with exercsies. It helps residents make new friends and interact with each other in a fun environment.
While it may take some time for people to get set up and familiar with the controls, the benefits are obvious straight away.
Ken Finch, a regular to the sessions, lost his wife nearly three years ago. “Coming up here, making friends and doing different things gives me something to do”
“We don’t do anything spectacular, we just sit round and have a natter and a laugh and have a general giggle.”
Charities around Lincoln are introducing all sorts of different classes to keep the elderly active, with sessions in Zumba, sequence dancing and Tai Chi.
Whilst being a bit of fun, these gatherings have tremendous health benefits.
Max Merritt, one of the session’s co-ordinators said; “I’ve helped people who have had strokes in the past, and brought them onto recovery and helped them back into proper health. Now they are less likely to need operations later in life”
The locals enjoy playing a range of Wii games in their classes from Wii sports, to mini gym sessions on the Wii fit board.
“I’d never met any of these people before but I’ve made a lot of friends. We’re a sociable bunch here.” says Ken.
“Without it a lot of people would be stuck at home. Lots of people don’t realise quite how much they do for people here.”