Senior Games Project is working to prevent slips and falls across Swindon care homes

Three years ago, 85-year-old Peter Barlow had problems with his speech, movement and balance after suffering a severe stroke.

But after receiving intensive support from the community stroke team, Peter is now working on improving his balance and co-ordination thanks to a special programme designed to increase his mobility and reduce the risk of him suffering a slip or fall.

Peter, an ex-solider and former parachute instructor, has been enjoying the ‘Love to Move’ exercises with his wife Sylvia as part of the Senior Games Project, which is funded and organised by Swindon Borough Council’s Public Health department working with the Wiltshire & Swindon Sports Partnership, Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and members of the Swindon Falls Collaboration.

So far this year, the project has supported more than 90 residents across nine care homes to take part in special exercises including foam javelin, dancing and tin-can bowling to improve their mobility and reduce the risk of slips and falls.

As well as taking part in the Senior Games project, Peter was also supported by his family to join the Seven Fields Park Run last weekend (21 September) completing it in a walking time of one hour and 18 minutes.

Speaking during Falls Prevention Week (23-27 September), Peter said: “I feel more stable on my feet due to the dancing. I’d encourage anyone to give it a try – it’s great for my mental and physical health.

“Dancing has helped me join up the connections in my brain, as I’m coordinating what I’m doing and my partner’s next moves. At first it was a challenge and I was wobbly even walking, but it’s made a real difference to how steady on my feet I feel. We also enjoy the social side and dancing with others.”

The Senior Games programme is open to all care home residents, including those living with dementia. It will see participants measured for their physical fitness and mobility across 12 weeks, with the aim of improving their health and wellbeing ultimately leading to less falls.

Between 335 and 447 falls a month resulted in visits to the Emergency Department at Great Western Hospital this year, with an average of 34 people a month having been admitted to hospital in Swindon in 2024, having broken their hip after falling.

Councillor Ray Ballman, Cabinet Member for Adult's Social Care has said “As more people live longer across the Borough, we’re committed to ensuring that our residents maintain their own mobility as much as possible. Doing so will help reduce the risk of falls and give them the best chance of remaining independent.

“As part of our commitment to building a fairer Swindon, we’re proud to support collaborative projects across our community such as the Senior Games which is making a real difference to residents in local care homes. I would urge anyone concerned about themselves or a loved one to visit the ‘Steady On Your Feet website’, which can provide you with your own action plan which is tailored to your own needs, lifestyle and home circumstances.”

The Steady On Your Feet website can be found by searching ‘Steady On Your Feet Swindon’