Carpet Bowls Rolls Into Ayrshire Care Home

Staff at Renaissance Care’s Malin Court home in Maidens swung into action after several residents expressed interest in indoor bowls. 
 
Maidens Bowling Club was contacted to explore options and club treasurer Avril Cowan was delighted to advise that the home’s Arran Lounge had the space to accommodate a full-length 33ft x 6ft bowling carpet. 
 
Residents will play indoor bowls for the first time at Malin Court on Tuesday, June 9 with sessions hosted every fortnight by Maidens Bowling Club.

“We are very much looking forward to beginning this partnership,” said Chloe Johnstone, wellbeing lead at Malin Court.
 
“We are lucky to have our very large Arran Lounge to run the carpet bowls session, we have had Avril from the bowling club up to have a look, and she says it is a great length for some proper carpet bowls.”
 
To ensure as many residents as possible can participate, including those in wheelchairs or with impaired mobility, Maidens Bowling Club will provide “bowling arms”, an orthopaedic aid that eliminates the need to bend or crouch.
 
“We’re also being provided with a piece of equipment to pick up the jack so we can allow our residents to be as independent as possible whilst taking part in this activity,” added Chloe.
 
“We have several residents that have expressed an interest in taking part, and are hoping for around 12-15 residents per session, but it will be offered to all of our residents.
 
“The club has also extended an invitation to visit and play on the green. We have a few residents able to do this, so we will be looking further into this in the summer months.”
 
The bowling club provides Maidens Primary School with lessons, which continue through the summer holidays and there are plans for a "residents versus pupils" competition around September time, most likely at Malin Court.
 
The home’s partnership with Maidens Bowling Club builds on community connections that include visits to Ayr Equestrian Centre.
 
“We regularly attend a group called Tea with a Pony,” explains Chloe. “The Centre provides riding lessons to children with disabilities and our residents are invited to watch the lessons with tea, coffee and cakes provided by a local cafe, The Coo Shed. 
 
“Afterwards, our residents have the opportunity to meet the horses that have been ridden and they have a Shetland pony for a more hands on experience.”