Supported housing residents show Olympic spirit

If you’d paid a visit to the Mile End Stadium last Friday you’d see the Olympic flame still burns in Newham.

Supported and sheltered housing residents from L&Q Living were there to compete in an athletics sports day organised by charitable housing association L&Q.

L&Q Living, part of L&Q, provides care and support, and housing, to older people and people with physical disabilities, learning disabilities and mental health needs.

Nearly 50 L&Q Living residents participated in a variety of sporting events including: long jump, javelin, shot put, discus and an 80m sprint. The stadium provided specially adapted athletics equipment for the day.

The annual athletics event attracted a large and lively audience of local residents, staff, family and friends.

Inspired by the success of the Paralympics at London 2012, L&Q Living held their first athletics event in 2016 to coincide with the Paralympics in Rio. It has become an annual event by popular demand and is now in its third year.

Charlie Culshaw, Director of L&Q Living, said:

“The health and wellbeing of our vulnerable residents is at the heart of everything we do at L&Q Living.

“The sports day is a highlight of our calendar and a great opportunity for residents to come together, make new friends and gain a sense of achievement by competing in sport. The event is just as important for mental health as it is for physical health.

“It was a fantastic day out and both the residents and spectators thoroughly enjoyed themselves.”