Mrs. Janet Cook

The scheme was started four years ago by Janet Cook, a warden for Bedfordshire Pilgrims Housing Association, and allows elderly residents to learn new skills and take part in activities like line dancing, curling and bowls plus arts and crafts.

The scheme, started four years ago by Janet Cook, a housing warden for Bedfordshire Pilgrims Housing Association, allows elderly residents to learn new skills and take part in activities like line dancing, curling and bowls plus arts and crafts.

Mrs Cook said: "Fit@Sixty aims to encourage older people in Bedford to participate in leisure activities, subsequently improving their health and sense of wellbeing."

Fit@Sixty first started five years ago as the brainchild of the project co-ordinator Janet Cook, who was then working as a warden in bpha's sheltered accommodation.

Fit@Sixty was started by warden Janet Cook five years ago as a single class at a bpha sheltered scheme.

Fit@Sixty was started by warden Janet Cook four years ago as a single class at a bpha sheltered scheme.

Today it offers around 17 classes each week, giving up to 130 older residents the chance to try new skills and take part in activities such as line dancing, chair-based exercise, curling, bowls and arts and crafts.

Many of the participants are in their 80s and 90s and this year some of the residents have taken on the running and marketing of the scheme themselves, by setting up a dedicated committee.

Mrs Cook, who continues to work with the scheme, said: "Fit@Sixty aims to encourage older people in Bedford to participate in leisure activities on a weekly basis, subsequently improving their health and sense of wellbeing.

Fit@Sixty was started by warden Janet Cook four years ago as a single class at a bpha sheltered scheme.

Today it offers around 17 classes each week, giving up to 130 older residents the chance to try new skills and take part in activities such as line dancing, chair-based exercise, curling, bowls and arts and crafts.

Many of the participants are in their 80s and 90s and this year some of the residents have taken on the running and marketing of the scheme themselves, by setting up a dedicated committee.

Mrs Cook, who continues to work with the scheme, said: "Fit@Sixty aims to encourage older people in Bedford to participate in leisure activities on a weekly basis, subsequently improving their health and sense of wellbeing.

Fit@Sixty first started five years ago as the brainchild of the project co-ordinator Janet Cook, who was then working as a warden in bpha's sheltered accommodation.

Janet Cook works for bpha as the Sports and Learning Activities Co-ordinator.Whilst working as a part time warden Janet identified a chance to help improve the quality of life for residents.Through commitment and enthusiasm to put customers first she undertook training to deliver her idea in her own time as a volunteer.By listening to her residents, Janet understood that not only were they keen to undertake some form of exercise but that it would also be beneficial for their health.Bpha supported Janet to undertake training so she could to run an activity program.Janet introduced activities tailored to the needs of the residents that proved to be so popular key partners came together to bid for funding to expand Janet's work.