Sol og Strand gyms for young people with disabilities
The Stenhøj Thy residential facility in Vesløs has received a donation of DKK 15,000 from the Sol og Strand Foundation Sol og Strand Margit and Kjeld. The money will be used to realize the dream of a gym in the basement of the building.
At Stenhøj Thy, 16 young people with mental disabilities live in their own apartments, where they receive support from educational staff. Now, residents will be able to exercise at home, independently of time and staff. The exercise room will also be an important step toward making physical activity a natural part of everyday life.
"It's a donation that the residents are really happy about," says Jytte Østergaard Bovbjerg, chair of the independent institution's support association.
But Jytte Østergaard Bovbjerg is not only chairwoman—she is also the mother of a 22-year-old son who lives at the residential facility. In fact, he is the reason she came up with the idea of establishing a residential facility in Vesløs.
"My son has autism, and when he was ready to move out of home, we couldn't find anywhere suitable for him in the local area," explains Jytte Østergaard Bovbjerg, who, together with her husband, got the ball rolling on plans to convert a former nursing home in Vesløs into a modern and homely residential facility for young people.
Today, there are 16 residents at Stenhøj, and there is a waiting list. Most of the residents are from the local area, but there are also residents from the municipalities of Vesthimmerland and Morsø. The place is also a workplace for around 20 employees, and thus represents something of a success story: a safe haven has been created for people who cannot live in ordinary housing, while at the same time jobs have been created in a small local community.
"It's an advantage that it's a small town, because it creates a sense of security and community. The grocery store, hairdresser, pizzeria, etc. are all nearby, and everyone knows everyone else," says Jytte Østergaard Bovbjerg.
Physical activity makes a difference
Residents use Hannæs Hallen extensively for sports and exercise, but they have long wanted to have exercise facilities at Stenhøj. With this donation, physical activity can become a regular part of everyday life, and residents will be able to exercise whenever it suits them.
"For residents, it's about improving their quality of life through increased energy and better health. With a gym in the basement, residents can get their heart rate up and work up a sweat – whether it's daily or weekly exercise," says Jytte Østergaard Bovbjerg.