Inspired Villages hosts the Inspired Games with a special appearance from a sporting legend

British ski jumper and sporting legend, Eddie the Eagle shared his inspirational story and participated in the Inspired Games, an event hosted by award-winning retirement communities operator, Inspired Villages, to showcase that age is just a number when it comes to staying fit, healthy and engaged in sport.

Eddie the Eagle, also known as Michael Edwards, visited Great Alne Park retirement village in Warwickshire, on Wednesday 4th August where he took part in a Facebook Live exercise session with Great Alne Park residents carrying out activities designed to improve the mobility of older people. He then shared his life story and pearls of wisdom on battling adversity in a live Q&A, that took place in Great Alne Park’s stunning outdoor amphitheatre, before then challenging residents and Inspired Villages team members to crazy golf.

Edward’s visit was part of a wider week of activities held by Inspired Villages to celebrate Great Britain at the games in Tokyo this summer and boost wellness among the older generation as lockdown restrictions continue to lift. The Inspired Games saw residents across the operator’s six villages take part in activities such as powerlifting using broomsticks, seated rhythmic gymnastics, synchronised swimming, table tennis, darts and more.

The event follows recent research from Inspired Villages revealing that 30% of over 65s would like to take the time to get fitter and stay healthier post-pandemic¹.

James Cobb, Director at Inspired Villages commented: “We were thrilled to have Eddie the Eagle join us in our celebration of all things wellness. Older people who may have been shielding over the past year, have spent a prolonged period of time at home with minimised activity, movement and may well be worried about getting their pre-lockdown levels of mobility back.

“With lockdown restrictions lifting, this is a pivotal time for people over 65 to take the time to improve their health and fitness and what better way to do this than to lean on the motivation and determination of the country’s athletes who have come before us. Eddie the Eagle is the perfect example of someone who defied the odds and showed great courage, so we hope his story inspires the older community!”

Inspired Villages focuses on helping over 65s live healthy, independent lives for longer by creating vibrant communities centred on their holistic wellbeing through the provision of hundreds of activities and events each month. This ranges from sport, pool pilates and dance classes, to choirs and arts and crafts.

Inspired Villages, which has already established six highly popular retirement villages, has an ambitious pipeline to match this increased demand for the all-inclusive lifestyle it offers for over 65s and is set to deliver 5,000 age-appropriate homes across the UK.

You can watch Eddie the Eagle’s Facebook live session here: https://www.facebook.com/inspiredlifeuk/videos/572041550621607

¹According to research by Censuswide of 2,000 UK respondents aged 65 and over conducted between 30/06/21 and 06/07/2021