Aberdeen’s Golden Games celebrate success at the Scottish Health Awards 2015

11 November 2015

The team behind Aberdeen's Golden Games has scooped a top award at the Scottish Health Awards 2015 in recognition of its invaluable contribution to Scottish healthcare.

The Healthier Lifestyle Award was in recognition of the team behind the delivery of the Golden Games and the positive impact the Games continue to have on all involved.

The initiative is a partnership between Aberdeen City Council, Sport Aberdeen, Aberdeen Sports Village, NHS Grampian and Aberdeen Football Club Community Trust and aims to encourage older people to become more active and get out-and-about to meet new people.

Aberdeen City Council launched the first Golden Games in 2011 and celebrated its fifth year by increasing it to a five-day event. This year's free festival of sports and activities for the over-65s featured more than 30 different activities, at venues across the city, and attracted 425 participants.

All the sports and activities are designed to be enjoyed by people of all abilities and follow-up opportunities enable participants to remain active beyond the end of the games.

Aberdeen City Councillor Lesley Dunbar said: "We are very proud of the Golden Games as it showcases the range of different activities that are available year-round to our older citizens here in Aberdeen from the City Council and its partners. A special thank you should go to the City Council's Wellbeing team who organise the annual event.

"The Golden Games initiative is fun, sociable and connects older people to each other and can help combat social isolation and loneliness and improve mental health and wellbeing. As we move forward with joint integration we are committed to ensuring the games continue to flourish."

NHS Grampian senior service manager, Sandy Reid said:"Physical activity at any age is known to proactively prevent illness by helping to maintain good physical and cognitive function. For older people it may play an important role in offsetting the early stages of dementia, promoting wellbeing and helping to prevent falls.

"The Golden Games has brought opportunity for innovative partnerships and service developments that will bring lasting change to the way we support people over 65 to achieve a physical, healthy lifestyle. We are absolutely thrilled that this innovative project has been recognised nationally."

Paula Bisset, Active Ageing Development Officer at Sport Aberdeen said: "The Golden Games has become a key part of encouraging older adults in Aberdeen to become more active and engaged year round. It is increasingly accepted that age is no barrier to being physically active and Sport Aberdeen is delighted to be one of the partner organisations within the Golden Games. To have received this national recognition of the value of the Golden Games to participants is fantastic."

Duncan Sinclair, Chief Executive at Aberdeen Sports Village said: "We are delighted that the Golden Games has received such high profile national recognition, and shows what can be achieved through successful partnership working. We look forward to continuing to work with our local partners to ensure we build on this success and further expand this initiative in the months and years ahead."

Aberdeen Football Club Community Trust Chief Executive Ally Prockter said: "We are extremely proud to be involved with what is such a fantastic partnership. This award demonstrates what a positive impact the Golden Games has on our community and one I am sure will become the template for other successful initiatives elsewhere."

Every year, the Scottish Health Awards recognise and reward the dedicated NHS staff, support workers, volunteers and specialist teams who go the extra mile to provide outstanding patient care.

The Scottish Health Awards 2015 is managed by the Scottish Government and the Daily Record.

To view the full list of winners or for more information, please visit www.scottishhealthawards.com