Knebworth care home residents team up with young footballers for matchday magic

Football fever has officially kicked off at a care home in Knebworth as residents welcomed a youth team for an afternoon of sporting fun. 

Care UK’s Knebworth, on London Road in Woolmer Green, teamed up with visitors from Knebworth FC Under-7s to take part in intergenerational football-themed games and join the nation in celebrating the huge summer of sport. 

Activities on the day included a pirate-themed football skill session, a penalty shoot-out with bean bags, and football archery and bowling.

Resident Christine Duckworth, aged 61, said: “It was lovely to interact with the children. It reminded me of watching my daughter play football when she was a child.”

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 together.

Edyta Baderska, Deputy Manager at Knebworth care home, said: “We had a ball opening our doors to Knebworth FC Under-7s to celebrate the summer of 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 the local community 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 the club 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!”

As part of the campaign, Care UK has made donations to local walking football foundations, including Cambridge United Foundation.

Vicky Neal, Head of Cambridge United Foundation, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Care UK for its generous donation in support of our work with older adults across the Cambridge community. Partnerships like this help us continue delivering programmes that make a genuine difference to people’s physical and mental wellbeing.

"Our walking football sessions in particular have become a vital lifeline for many participants, improving fitness, confidence and mobility while also tackling loneliness by creating meaningful social connections and friendships. The support from Care UK will allow us to reach even more older adults and continue using the power of sport to bring people together and enhance lives across our city.”

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

Knebworth is a state-of-the-art care home that provides full-time residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. It incorporates plenty of space for leisure activities and hobbies, and includes its own hair and beauty salon, pub and café.