David Loveridge, Regional Development Officer for Help the Aged thought up the concept of ‘Wii Wednesdays’. Day centres will introduce the Wii on one day of the week, ensuring that it does not encroach on other popular activities.

Playing on a Wii has many potential benefits for older people. It:

• encourages older people to engage in a relatively easy form of exercise;
• improves co-ordination;
• provides fun and stimulation; and
• creates ‘healthy competition’ between players which helps to form relationships and develop social skills.

Older people attending day centres around the region will have the chance to hone their skills on a variety of games including ten-pin bowling, golf, tennis and keep-fit.

David says, ‘Although these games are often viewed as the province of the young, it is really rewarding to see just how quickly older people, including those less mobile, grasp the technology and have such fun trying all the games out. During trial runs the most popular activity by far was the ten-pin bowling - almost everyone had a go!’

Next week, volunteers and older people will gather at a day centre in Tenbury Wells to celebrate the launch, and it is anticipated that Wii Wednesdays will become a regular fixture on calendars around the area.