Social enterprise Mytime Active has been recognised for its work within south London at the Bromley Community Links ‘Vollywood Awards’ held earlier this Summer.
The Awards, which celebrate volunteers in the local community, recognised Mytime Active’s Primetime Buddies as finalists in the Volunteer Team category and named Ann Wilbourn Volunteer Manager of the Year.
Mytime Active’s Primetime has been offering recreational activities, events, sports, dance and keep fit classes to over 60s in the borough since 2008. The activities are designed to help people to move more every day, and to offer opportunities for those over 60 to socialise and make new friends.
Ann Wilbourn has been leading the programme and successfully expanded it to offer more than 90 physical activity sessions each week, including specialised programmes for those with limited mobility and fitness. Under Ann’s guidance, Primetime memberships have grown from 80 in 2008 to more than 2,500.
Jason Stanton, CEO at Mytime Active, says: “I am thrilled Ann’s hard work and commitment has been externally recognised. Ann is a champion for both older and vulnerable adults, who passionately advocates Mytime Active’s extensive range of inclusion initiatives, such as MyClub (activities for juniors and adults with learning difficulties) and our dementia-friendly programme of activities. Ann has effectively utilised the collective power of volunteers, leading our fantastic team of over 25 dedicated Primetime Buddies – whom she personally recruited, trained and continues to manage and support. Congratulations Ann, thoroughly deserved.”
The Primetime Buddies volunteer across nine different Mytime Active facilities and community venues in Bromley, giving more than 3,000 hours of their time annually. They serve as role models, champions of physical activity and peer-to-peer health mentors, actively participating in various exercise classes and facilities.
Ann Wilbourn says: “We are thrilled to have come away both as a winner and as finalists. The success of the Primetime Programme lies in our understanding of the fact that starting exercise and meeting new people can be challenging, especially as you get older.
“The Mytime Active Primetime Buddies are like a security blanket to newcomers, gently and respectfully introducing people to our services, classes and groups. Our Buddies welcome, inspire, support and encourage while providing a caring, listening ear so members can talk through any concerns. Our team of Buddies and the fitness instructors also have dementia training, and we welcome people living with dementia and their carers to come along too.”
Find our more at www.mytimeactive.co.uk/primetime
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