Go for Life Programme Opens for Grant Applications
Today, Thursday 25th of August, Age & Opportunity and the Irish Sports Council announced that €300,000 has been allocated under the eleventh National Grant Scheme for Sport and Physical Activity for Older People. The Scheme promotes opportunities for older people to participate in sport and physical activity. Applications for grants are requested from Clubs and Groups countrywide.
The mission of the Go for Life Programme is to get more older people more active more often.
Any local group seeking to provide increased opportunities for older people to participate in sport and physical activity may apply for a grant.Grants range from €300-€700 and are typically used by groups to purchase equipment or so that members may explore a new sporting activity. In previous years successful applicants have included active retirement associations, senior citizens clubs, ICA guilds, sports clubs, day centres and community centres in 26 counties.
Stats about the Scheme
- €300,000 available to clubs & groups countrywide
- Almost €3 million distributed since 2001
- Over 5,000 grants allocated to date
- Call for applications for grants to be in by Thursday 29 September 2011
- Go for Life, an Age & Opportunity initiative funded by the Irish Sports Council is the National Programme for Sport and Physical Activity for Older People.
Go For Life encourages greater participation by older people in sports and physical activities at a time in life when regular exercise is hugely beneficial. Participation in sport and physical activity is proven to improve quality of life and health for all ages but older people particularly benefit from leading an active lifestyle. Contrary to the widespread view that older people should “do less”, The World Health Organisation. strongly recommends that people increase their level of physical activity as they get older.
The mission of the Go for Life Programme is to get more older people more active more often. A recent research report by the second IPSOS MORI, commissioned by Go for Life and the Irish Sports Council found that 58% of older adults lead sedentary lifestyles. These grants aim to try and introduce some of these people to a sport or physical activity they might enjoy and keep up.
The Go for Life Programme was developed by Age & Opportunity and the Irish Sports Council and is overseen by a Steering Committee that also includes representatives of Active Retirement Ireland, the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament and the Health Service Executive. The National Grant Scheme is a central element of the Go for Life Programme which also provides workshops for members of older people’s groups around the country to give them information and skills which enable them to lead sport and physical activity sessions within their groups.
Visit the Go for Life website to download the application form.
Alternatively, application forms are now available from Go for Life c/o Age & Opportunity Marino Institute of Education, Griffith Avenue, Dublin 9. Phone 01 805 7733 or email gfl@ageandopportunity.ie
Closing date for receipt of applications is 5pm on 29 September 2011.
