COMPETITIVE care home residents have been getting into the Winter Olympics spirit with a community centre curling match.
Curling athletes from around the world are set to compete at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games, in South Korea, from 9th to 25th of February.
The upcoming international competition was preceded by residents of Barnfield and Holmewood care homes, however, when they tried the sport for the first time.
The Chesterfield-based care homes, both operated by the Hill Care Group, organised the outing for residents Ronald Coats and Clive Wilkinson, from Holmewood, and Andrew Bailey, from Barnfield.
The match took place at Holmewood Community Centre, run by national charity Macintyre.
As well as competing with each other, they also played alongside the children and young adults supported by the charity.
Established in 1966 by Kenneth Newton Wright, the parent of a disabled child, MacIntyre cares for those with learning disabilities.
Viktorija Jakaitemne, activities coordinator for Holmewood Care Home, on Barnfield Close, said: “All three of the residents enjoyed the morning outing and both Andrew and Ron became competitive with each other during the curling match.
“Everyone had a great time taking part in the match, which happened to take place just before the start of the Winter Olympics.”
Rachel Furniss, activities coordinator at Barnfield Care Home, on Heath Road, said: “Our resident Andrew has requested to go back to the day centre to take part in curling matches every Wednesday, he enjoyed it so much.
“It was also wonderful to hear the young adults who visit the centre are keen to visit both Barnfield and Holmewood care homes in future, when we organise our events and theme days.”
Barnfield and Holmewood care homes are part of the Hill Care Group. For further information visit www.hillcare.net.
MacIntyre, which runs the Holmewood Community Centre, is a national charity providing support to people with learning disabilities for 50 years. For further information visit https://www.macintyrecharity.org/.
