Shrewsbury care home residents team up with fitness coach for matchday magic

Football fever has officially kicked off at a care home in Shrewsbury as residents got together for an afternoon of sporting fun. 

Care UK’s Oxbow Manor, on Oteley Road, teamed up with fitness instructor James Bickley to test everyone’s football skills and join the nation in celebrating a huge summer of sport. 

The activity saw residents split into two teams for a head-to-head penalty shootout in the home’s decorated bar area.

Former Manchester United player and resident Bill Shaw, 94, captained the Men’s Team, scoring multiple goals. After a competitive game and some impressive shooting, the Women’s Team claimed victory.

Bill said: “I had a great day. I have loved football from a young age, and it brought back lots of memories. The football boots were a bit different then; I would not have scored any goals if I was wearing them now – they were far too heavy!”

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.

Michelle Maiden, Home Manager at Oxbow Manor, said: “We’re always looking for meaningful ways to keep residents active and engaged, and partnering with James has been a fantastic opportunity to do just that.

“Taking part in activities like penalty shootouts is a brilliant avenue for making the game accessible to people of all abilities. It’s been wonderful to see residents getting involved and enjoying the social side of the sport.

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

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

Oxbow Manor 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 rewarding lives, the home has its very own cinema, pub and hair and beauty salon, while there is plenty of space – both indoors and out – for relaxation and recreation.