Moray has developed a network of Be Active Life Long (BALL) Groups that promote healthy and active ageing within local communities through gentle exercise, hosting activities and speakers and coffee and chat. BALL groups have proven popular in Moray and there are currently 20 groups operating in towns and villages across the area. Health and Social Care Moray supports the development of the BALL groups through the deployment of the development team. BALL groups are part of a network of community groups supporting older people in Moray to live healthier, sustainable and independent lives in their own communities.
The BALL projects objectives are to: provide opportunities and choice for older adults in Moray, improve confidence, self-esteem and mental health, engage older people in the planning and running of their groups, improve quality of life by increased mobility, lessening the risk of falling, improve physical health in general, foster companionship, and, develop sustainable programmes by supporting people to become self-sufficient.
Key Activities
The group’s consist of an hour gentle physical activity followed by an hour social activity. Groups are supported to plan timetables in advance and over time are given the skills and confidence to take full responsibility for the planning of timetables and group activities. Activities are alternated between group led and those provided by paid workshop facilitators allowing for the future financial sustainability of the individual groups.
Benefits and Impact
The BALL Groups encourage and support over 50’s to remain active within their local communities for as long as they choose. The groups nurture an inclusive community, encourage social inclusion and have led to members meeting socially out with the group sessions. Members have said they are happier, healthier and feel more confident as a result of attending groups.
Learning
Older people want to be active within their local communities, meet new friends and be members of social groups. The BALL group model has allowed this to happen with a bottom-up approach taking into consideration from the very beginning what older people want in their local community and modelling the groups around this.
To find out more about this case study, please contact
Pauline Knox
Senior Carers Strategy Officer/SDS Commissioning Officer
Health and Social Care Moray
pauline.knox@moray.gov.uk
01343 567186