Hailsham care home residents team up with footballers for matchday magic

Football fever has officially kicked off at a care home in Hailsham as residents welcomed a local football club for an afternoon of sporting fun. 

Care UK’s Bowes House, on Battle Road, teamed up with visitors from the women’s Eastbourne Borough FC to take part in seated football and join the nation in celebrating the huge summer of sport. 

Leonnie, Megan and Lola delighted residents with interactive seated passing and a penalty shootout, before showing off some of their amazing skills.

They then toured the home to talk with other residents about football, including sharing memories of their favourite games.

79-year-old resident Alan Main said: “We have really been enjoying the summer of sports, and it was great to have our own local team in to play some football with us and talk about the games too! We really enjoyed seeing their skills.

“I’ve been a football fan since I was five years old, so this was amazing to get the chance to have a kick about again like I used to with my dad in the back garden and with my own grandchildren when they were young!”

The event was part of Care UK’s  ‘Goal-den Moments' initiative, which aims to bring generations together and encourage residents to reminisce about cherished football memories with the local community while sharing new experiences.

Finlin Martin, Home Manager at Bowes House, said: “We had a ball opening our doors to Eastbourne Borough FC to take part in seated football!

“For many residents, football is more than just the beautiful game – it represents a lifetime of treasured memories and traditions. This event allowed us to honour these special moments and bring them to life once again.

“It was a wonderful opportunity to bring different generations together for a day of matchday magic. It was truly heartwarming to watch residents reminisce and share their favourite football stories from years gone by.

“We’d like to extend a huge thank you to Leonnie, Megan and Lola for joining us and making this a day to remember. With spirits high, everyone involved proved they have plenty of goal-den skills to show off!”

For more information about Goal-den Moments, please visit careuk.com/goal-den-moments.

Bowes House is a state-of-the-art care home that provides full-time residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. Designed to enable residents to lead enjoyable and fulfilling lives, the building boasts its own café, cinema and hair and beauty salon. The home offers a comprehensive activity programme, featuring a mix of themed events and group activities both inside and outside.