Patients show their true spirit in Cefn Coed's Olympic Games

PICTURED: Staff and patients at Cefn Coed Hospital have been getting into the Olympic Games spirit.

The world’s elite athletes may be going for gold in Paris, but the true Olympic Games values are being played out closer to home, at Swansea’s Cefn Coed Hospital.

Patients and staff have teamed up to deliver an Olympics of their own by hosting different events across three wards.

There were no gold medals on offer or millions watching on, but the winners were patients from the Celyn, Derwen and Onnen wards within the hospital’s Ysbryd Y Coed unit.

PICTURED: Patient John Drummond, nurse Zoe Green, physiotherapist Jacqueline Coates, occupational therapists Joanna Clarke and Katie Ley along with health care support worker Therese Shadbolt.

They helped staff create flags, torches and flags in the build up to the games, before participating in a range of events that included basketball, static cycling, bowling and even a relay race inside the building.

While the fun nature of the home-grown Olympics supported physical fitness, other benefits included promoting teamwork and wellbeing.

It’s part of Swansea Bay University Health Board’s Active August initiative, a month dedicated to helping older people move more to boost their overall health and wellbeing.

Michael Barber, physiotherapist and Joanna Clarke, occupational therapist within the Older Adult Inpatient service, have been among the staff behind the Cefn Coed Olympics event along with health care support worker Josie Callaghan.

Michael said: “It’s an event that gains so much interest around the world, and we were keen to tap into that and use it as an opportunity to include our patients and get them active and to engage them in activity.

“There has been some positive competition between the wards here – everyone wanted to do their best and help their ward come out on top! They’ve been watching the Olympics on TV, so that desire has definitely shone through.

“It was very pleasing to see everyone coming together and enjoying our version of an event that the world’s best athletes are currently competing in.”

Josie said: “We’ve had a lot of fun with patients during the last week or so researching the Olympics and crafting items in time for the event. We also organised a buffet to celebrate the start of the games.

PICTURED: Patient Magnus Smith proved a dab hand at bowling.

While the patients took centre stage during the events, staff of various roles also benefited from taking part.

Rebecca Mort, Older People's Mental Health Services Lead Nurse, said: “It has been a pleasure to see the multi-disciplinary team come together to organise these events with such positive results.

“The wards have been full of excitement during the last few weeks preparing for this event and carrying out the various Olympic themed activities.

“Both staff and patients have benefited from taking part, creating an atmosphere of fun which has boosted wellbeing, good natured competition and encouraged physical activity and teamwork.”