Sol og Strand supports exercise rooms for young people with disabilities
The Stenhøj Thy residence in Vesløs has received a donation of 15,000 kroner from Fonden Sol og Strand through Margit and Kjeld. The money will be used to realize the dream of an exercise room in the house's basement.
At Stenhøj Thy, 16 young people with mental disabilities live in their own apartments, where they receive support from pedagogical staff. Now it will be possible for the residents to exercise at home, independently of time and staff. The exercise room will also be an important step towards making physical activity a natural part of everyday life.
– It is a donation that the residents are really happy about, says Jytte Østergaard Bovbjerg, who is the chairperson of the self-governing institution's support association.
But Jytte Østergaard Bovbjerg is not only the chairperson – she is also the mother of a 22-year-old son who lives at the residence. In fact, it is he who is the reason she came up with the idea to establish a residence in Vesløs.
– My son has autism, and when he was to move out, we could not find a suitable offer for him in the local area, says Jytte Østergaard Bovbjerg, who, together with her husband, got the plans rolling to transform a former private nursing home in Vesløs into a modern and homely residence for young people.
Today, there are 16 residents at Stenhøj, and there is a waiting list. The majority of the residents are from the local area, and there are also residents from Vesthimmerland and Morsø municipalities. The place also provides jobs for around 20 employees, thus representing a bit of a success story: A safe offer has been created for people who cannot live in a regular home, while jobs have been established in a smaller community.
– It is an advantage that it is a smaller town, as it creates security and togetherness. The grocery store, hairdresser, pizzeria, etc. are not far away, and everyone knows everyone, says Jytte Østergaard Bovbjerg.
Physical activity makes a difference
The residents make good use of Hannæs Hallen for sports and exercise, but they have long wished for an exercise offer at Stenhøj. With the donation, physical activity can become a regular part of everyday life, and there is the opportunity to train when it suits them.
– For the residents, it is about improving quality of life through increased energy and better health. With an exercise room in the basement, the residents can get their heart rate up and sweat – whether it is daily or weekly exercise, says Jytte Østergaard Bovbjerg.