Kim Hall runner-up for European award
Kim Hall, Lead Coach of our Love to Move programme, was a very worthy runner up for the Local Hero Award at the European Commission’s #BeActive awards ceremony in Marseille, France, on Wednesday night.
The Awards celebrated inspiring contributions to promoting active lifestyles in Europe, with the Workplace Award, Local Hero Award and Education Award all presented.
Love to Move is an age and dementia friendly seated gymnastics programme which is transforming the lives of people living with dementia. Kim has been a vital part of the programme’s success, and has played a big part in ensuring participants get the most out of the sessions.
Research by Age UK in to the Love to Move programme found that it ‘has a demonstrable benefit in the physical, emotional and cognitive aspects of older people’, but it also praised the Lead Coach of the sessions, Kim.
Age UK’s research found that ‘the dedication of the person delivering the session was evident by her remembering the older people’s names, taking the time to speak to each of them individually. Older people attending the sessions and staff members at the residential care homes all had praise and positive comments about the person delivering the session.’
Her efforts to ensure the success of the programme to date can’t be underestimated.
Patrick Bonner, Head of British Gymnastics Foundation said: “This fantastic recognition for Kim’s outstanding contribution to her local community is truly deserved! Kim’s work through the Love to Move programme, transforms the lives of people living with dementia and their families every day; and we are so proud of the work that Kim does!”
Kim said: “It was a real honour to be selected for this award and to be in the final 3. Everyone was very welcoming, supportive and excited about my work, delivering such an amazing programme which has improved so many lives. There was a lot of interest shown.
“The other nominees were very special people and I felt very humbled to be nominated alongside them. The evening was a real celebration on how much sport and being active can improve the lives of everyone from any background and age.”