Gateshead charity helping over 50s shape up for life-saving treatments feel pumped with £136,000 National Lottery cash boost

A Gateshead charity providing energising activities for those over the age of 50 has received a £136,000 National Lottery funding boost to help older people get back into shape, after lockdown left many of them medically unfit for life-saving treatments for which they were previously eligible.

This vital funding has been awarded by The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK.

Gateshead Older People’s Assembly (GOPA) provides fun fitness activities throughout the borough to help enhance the mental and physical health of local people over 50 – all in a sociable environment designed to reduce isolation. ‘Dancercise’, walking rugby, samba drumming– and soon to be included – belly dancing, all feature in the charity’s active timetable.

Shielding and various lockdowns during the pandemic have left many of GOPA’s once active members unfit and leading sedentary lifestyles. For some participants this has meant they are no longer able to attend life-saving surgery and treatments, such as chemotherapy, until their health and fitness improves.

Thanks to National Lottery funding, GOPA is able to offer free classes to help those older citizens affected to combat declining health.

Dilys, 73, has been attending the charity’s classes since before the pandemic and is elated classes are now back in action. She said: “It’s brilliant. It’s like winning the lottery – seeing familiar faces again, people who you know. It’s so good to have a laugh and a bit of exercise.

“Over lockdown, I would do maybe 10 minutes of exercise by myself, but it’s not the same as coming to do it amongst people. That was my worst thing – being on my own and not being able to participate, because I’m a people person and I just didn’t like being on my own. But now these classes are running, I’m over the moon. I’m cock-a-hoop!”

Lola McPartland, Project Manager at Gateshead Older People’s Assembly, said: “Gateshead Older People’s Assembly is delighted to have the continued support of The National Lottery Community Fund in helping us make Gateshead a great place to grow older. Thanks to National Lottery players, we will be able to set up nearly 45 new wellness classes and social groups for over 50s across our borough over the next three years.

“We are working closely with local hospitals to create a ‘referral pipeline’ for over 50s who have recently been diagnosed with cancer, who need to take part in wellness activities to improve their health prior to taking up treatment.”

The charity is concerned that the situation, if left unaddressed, could add further strain to already long waiting lists for medical treatments*.

McPartland said: “This reflects a national problem. There are massive waiting lists in every hospital and if you combine them with the number of older people who’ve been in their homes, not exercising for one or two years, or maybe more… the situation is only going to get worse.”

In a recent survey of GOPA’s members, 94% said they feel fitter as a result of taking part in their activities and 74% said they have made new friends with whom they now socialise.

Duncan Nicholson, Head of Funding for the North East and Cumbria at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “We are thrilled to fund GOPA’s positive work, helping to get older people active again, and back out into the community. Not only will this improve their health and fitness, but raise spirits too, while they make new connections and friends.

“Thanks to National Lottery players, this vital funding is having a huge impact on people’s lives across Gateshead. It’s so inspiring to see dedicated volunteers and groups, like GOPA, supporting their communities to prosper and thrive. This funding has given a much-needed cash boost to communities, so they can build back stronger from the pandemic.”

Ten charities and community groups across Gateshead have been awarded almost £235,000 of National Lottery funding in the past quarter**, while almost £3 million has been distributed to 123 community organisations across the North East in the past three months**. National Lottery players raise £36 million each week for good causes throughout the UK.

Gateshead isn’t alone in benefiting from National Lottery funding. Today it was announced that almost £65 million of National Lottery funding awarded to over 1,700 community groups.

The National Lottery Community Fund distributes money raised by National Lottery players for good causes. Thanks to National Lottery players, last year we awarded over half a billion pounds (£588.2 million) of life-changing funding to communities across the UK. Over eight in ten (83%) of our grants are for under £10,000 – going to grassroots groups and charities across the UK that are bringing to life amazing ideas that matter to their communities.

To find out more visit www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk