Ware care home residents team up for matchday magic

Football fever has officially kicked off at a care home in Ware as residents welcomed neighbouring homes for an afternoon of sporting fun. 

Care UK’s Snowdrop House, on Baldock Street, teamed up with visitors from Riverside Place care home to take part in an inter-home football match and join the nation in celebrating the huge summer of sport. 

On the day, residents cheered on both homes from the sidelines at Wodson Park with pom-poms and handmade signs – with the Snowdrop House team being crowned the winners.

Resident Joan Ash, aged 92, said: “I was really proud to see them all playing so well, I always loved playing sports, so it was an honour to be able to present Snowdrop House with the winner’s trophy.  

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 while sharing new experiences together.

Clare Crow, Home Manager at Snowdrop House, said: “Hosting a match here has been a fantastic way to bring people together and celebrate residents’ shared love of football.

“For many, the game holds a lifetime of memories, and seeing those come to life again through playing and cheering from the sidelines has been very special.

“We’re so grateful to the residents and team members from Riverside Place for joining us and helping to create such a lively atmosphere. It’s been a brilliant example of how sport can connect generations and build meaningful relationships within the community.”

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.

Snowdrop 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. It incorporates plenty of space for leisure activities and hobbies, and includes its own cinema, hair and beauty salon and café.