Pupils at Honiton Community College encapsulated the spirit of Olympic volunteering at a health and wellbeing event in the town to celebrate the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games on Sunday.

Students volunteered alongside Age UK Devon to help deliver the four-hour event, held at Honiton Leisure Centre, which included a functional fitness MOT for the elderly.

The students got involved thanks to the Get Set for Community Action programme, and Age UK Devon’s active in later life manager, Trish Warren, said their presence made a huge difference.

“They provided great enthusiasm which was quite infectious, they enjoyed the activities as well with the older people, which was really nice to see,” she said.

“It made a great difference, I am a great believer in inter-generational working; the older people interacting with younger people.

“It’s a great means of communication between generations, the children helped set up the venue, with the functional fitness MOT and assisting older people.

“We had a good number playing walking football and short mat bowls, while the yoga and zumba was very well attended. Some ladies and gents went from one activity to the next and it was a full day’s work out for them.”

Created by the British Olympic Foundation and British Paralympic Association and made possible due to the Big Lottery Fund, the new UK-wide Get Set programme aims to help thousands of 14-19 years old to strength relationships between young people and their communities.

Sunday’s event included a Rio-inspired Zumba session, walking football, New Age Kurling, seated exercise sessions, and visitors could even have a go at blending their own fruit on the smoothie bike.

“There are so many older people in Devon, and East Devon in particular has one of the highest rates of older residents,” added Warren.

“The reason that fitness is so important is it keeps them healthy, fit and active and we need to try and prevent them being isolated.

“We provide opportunities for people to become active and fit but with a social emphasis that helps reduce isolation and create good friends along the way.

“We are building on the choice of activities so we are hoping people will not just attend but use it as a springboard.”

Following the success of the event, Age UK are to continue offering weekly sessions at Honiton Leisure Centre every Wednesday to encourage more people to get active.

Get Set for Community Action is a new UK-wide programme for young people and their communities created by the British Olympic Foundation and British Paralympic Association and made possible thanks to the Big Lottery Fund. To find out more visit: www.getsetaction.org.uk