2023 Award Laureates
Recognizing innovation and impact
In 2023, the Fit for Life Foundation Awards recognized four organisations for their innovative and impactful approach to improve the health and fitness of older people.
Društvo Šola zdravja
Improving the health of the older population by promoting regular physical activity for healthier, independent lives
Founded in 2009
Active all over Slovenia
4410 Active members (2022)
www.solazdravja.com
Društvo Šola zdravja, the School of Health Association, is a volunteers-based organization whose goal is to promote regular exercise and healthy habits among the aging population.
The association brings together people across Slovenia for a morning outdoor exercise program known as the “1000 movements” method.
The program is offered free of charge 5 to 6 days a week, all year round. It consists of 30 minutes of standing exercises selected to target all joints and muscle groups in the body and to improve flexibility, agility, balance, and breathing. Participants can work at their own pace and ability and are led by trained volunteers with an average age of 69.
While the program can be done at home, performing the exercises with a group is encouraged, as it fosters a sense of community and enjoyment.
The association also offers lectures on health-related topics, ongoing training for volunteers, excursions, and activities in nature.
The School of Health Association is currently active in 93 municipalities, but aims to extend its reach to all 212 municipalities across Slovenia in the coming years.
It currently has:
4,410 members
251 exercise groups
700 volunteers.
“It is crucial for us to motivate individuals as much as possible and to make them aware that 30 minutes of daily exercise is essential for a healthy lifestyle.”
ExWell Medical
Enhancing quality of life in people with chronic illness through medically-led exercise programmes in community settings
Founded in 2019
Active across Ireland
3687 beneficiaries (2022)
www.exwell.ie
ExWell Medical’s core rationale is that a large part of the disability and unwellness experienced during chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, diabetes or arthritis, is caused by a deterioration in physical fitness due to lack of physical activity.
This deconditioning can be fixed through exercise, thereby transforming people’s lives, without having to fix the illness. Exwell Medical is a social enterprise that provides affordable, accessible and medically-led exercise programmes, mainly through group classes in community settings, such as sports clubs, community halls, nursing homes or private dwellings. Online options are also available.
The core components of the programme are strength, balance and aerobic exercise. The social interaction element is a vital ingredient to maintain motivation.
Everyone can take part to some extent, regardless of the nature, duration, or severity of their illness. Most participants are referred to the class by their doctor, nurse or social worker.
The programme’s impact is captured by measuring changes in strength, aerobic fitness, frailty, self-efficacy, and quality of life. On average, all measured outcomes improve quickly, within 6 weeks. The scale of the improvement is such that it makes a meaningful difference to quality of life.
ExWell Medical plays an important support role in the Irish health service, offering extra capacity and a safe exit pathway from the state’s own chronic illness rehabilitation services.
Running the ExWell programme requires a population centre, a suitable venue, a local clinical champion, and a referral network. Initial evidence suggests that engaging in the ExWell program for one year correlates with a reduction in healthcare utilization costs of €1,500.
Currently, ExWell operates in 22 locations and hosts nearly 3000 weekly participant visits.
“Since I started in ExWell about three and a half years ago, my health has improved. I’m healthier than I was when I was 40. I haven’t had an antibiotic or a steroid for two years.”
The Filo Project (UK)
Providing home-based day care for aging adults with early to moderate dementia
Founded in 2014
Active across 4 regions in the United Kingdom
447 direct beneficiaries (2022)
www.thefiloproject.co.uk
The Filo Project is a social enterprise that aims to revolutionize dementia care for older people by establishing a unique network where private hosts welcome older people, the clients, into their homes for meaningful day care.
Hosts undergo a meticulous selection process based on specific personal attributes and are provided with ongoing support and attractive remuneration. Focused on enhancing wellbeing and cognitive functions, as well as easing social isolation and fostering confidence, the programme offers enjoyable activities that serve as social outings rather than conventional day care.
A day with the Filo Project typically runs from 10 am to 4 pm. Transportation is provided by the hosts, which allows them to reach clients even in rural locations. Clients attend one to three times per week, which is essential for bonding and consistent social interaction. Social engagement has been proven to reduce dementia symptoms and cognitive decline.
As the demands on caregivers continue to rise, local authorities are left with no alternative but to outsource their day care services. Initiatives such as the Filo Project are fast becoming indispensable in this context.
The Filo Project is currently present in four counties in the UK: Devon, Somerset, Cornwall, and Lancashire.
According to survey results, 59.6% of families whose relatives with dementia participated in Filo Project activities observed notable improvements in their wellbeing, motivation, appetite, and overall relaxation. 74% of carers surveyed expressed eased stress. Since founding, the Filo Project has provided support to over 3000 older people living with dementia.
“They’re so grateful and happy. I go home and my jaw is aching sometimes from laughing so much. You don’t get that feedback from any other group, really, in society. And it’s just... It’s really rewarding.”
Zeitpolster
Building a system in which people provide support services in exchange for time credits towards their own future care needs
Founded in 2018
Active in Austria and Liechtenstein
900 beneficiaries, 1000 volunteers (since 2018)
www.zeitpolster.com
Zeitpolster is a social care “savings bank” in which volunteers provide simple support services to older people and earn time credits that they can redeem in the future when they need help themselves.
Part of the revenue from these paid services is used to support the organization’s operations, and the rest is deposited in a blocked personal account. Volunteers can later use the amount saved to purchase support services.
Aging societies worldwide are facing a growing demand for eldercare along with a shortage of caregivers. The Zeitpolster model complements existing health and care systems by creating an incentive to contribute today in order to receive in the future.
The organization operates on a give-and-take model. It offers an innovative way to rebuild the social ties and mutual aid that once existed in both rural and urban areas. Zeitpolster's headquarters coordinates regional groups of up to 80 volunteers, most of whom are retired.
Each team undergoes comprehensive training and is provided with essential tools, including manuals, workshops, mobile phones, an e-mail address, liability insurance, and promotional materials.
Volunteers offer simple support services such as domestic help – the most common request – driving, administrative assistance, leisure activities, and home repairs. Their assistance also provides respite for family caregivers.
Zeitpolster is active in Austria and Liechtenstein and is currently launching in Germany through a social franchise model. Since 2018, 900 people have benefited from services provided by the 1,000 volunteers in the Zeitpolster network. This corresponds to 36,000 hours of service, 18,000 of which were provided in 2022.