Lottery funding helps expand Bridgend ‘Feel Good for Life’ project

Social enterprise and charity organisation, Halo Leisure have received £381,479 from the National Lottery Community Fund to help expand its ‘Feel Good for Life’ project at leisure centres across Bridgend County.

The funding bid, in association with Bridgend County Borough Council, Alzheimers Society Cymru and Awen Libraries aims to help people with living with dementia, loneliness and depression enjoy more opportunities to get physically and socially active.

Sessions include swimming, keep-fit, and sporthall activities like Curling, Petanque, or Table-tennis, followed by socialising and reminiscence sessions at Bridgend Life Centre, Ogmore Valley Life Centre.

Exercise workouts were also delivered by specialists online for those who can’t get to the centres.

The sessions are accessible by providing help with transport, while the online sessions will have internet-enabled i-pads, digital skills training, and support available.

Ryan Statton, Active Communities Manager at Halo Leisure, said: “Over the last 4 years, we have seen the power of physical activity, reminiscing, and socialising for people living with dementia, loneliness and depression.

“It can help manage mood, unlock memories and abilities thought lost, and bring people, including unpaid carers, closer.

“We are delighted that The National Lottery Community Fund has recognised our work and understood our proposal, and thanks to this funding, we’ll be able to continue this work while also creating more opportunities across Bridgend County Borough”.

Halo Leisure say that the programme will be rolled out to other areas in the county in the near future.