Southampton care home residents team up with local group for matchday magic

Football fever has officially kicked off at a care home in Southampton as residents welcomed a local community group for an afternoon of sporting fun. 

Care UK’s The Wickets, on Banister Road, teamed up with Laura from Rise to host a football-themed exercise class and join the nation in celebrating the huge summer of sport. 

Rise is a local organisation which aims to bring back the fun of playing sports to those who believe they can’t participate. The sessions are designed to create an engaging and science-led programme for people of all abilities to join in playing sports. 

Residents took part in a seated football activity, in which residents were divided into blue and red teams. Ensuring the activity was inclusive to all residents, Reg, who is a double amputee, was provided with a ‘foot’ so that he was still able to compete.  

The activities included foot control, passing with your team, and scoring goals. To get everyone in the competitive spirit, there was also a mini-competition at the end, with a special Ballon d’Or trophy up for grabs.

Resident Frank said: “I really enjoyed it because it was a group effort and slightly competitive. I didn’t play football when I was younger, so it was good to start playing it in a seated environment. It was a great day!”

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

Pooja Dhoot, Home Manager at The Wickets, said: “We had a ball opening our doors to Laura from Rise to take part in the seated football activity! 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.

“Teaming up with Rise was a brilliant avenue for making football 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 Laura from Rise 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 www.careuk.com/goal-den-moments

The Wickets provides full-time residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. Designed to enable residents to lead active and fulfilling lives, while also promoting independence, the home incorporates plenty of space for hobby and leisure activities and boasts its own cinema, hair and beauty salon and pub.