Waterlooville care home residents team up with community for matchday magic

Football fever has officially kicked off at a care home in Waterlooville as residents welcomed the local community for an afternoon of sporting events. 

Care UK’s Pear Tree Court, on Portsmouth Road in Horndean, teamed up with visitors to take part in a variety of football-related activities and join the nation in celebrating the huge summer of sport. 

Over the past month, the care team organised a football-themed toddler group, a trip to watch Portsmouth FC, sporting arts and crafts and a barbecue for residents and families to have a kickabout together. 

Alongside this, residents were invited to join in the training with the under-12 girls at Fleur De Lys FC – Portsmouth’s first FA Charter Standard Community Club. With the sun shining, the group had a joyous afternoon taking turns shooting penalties at Drayton Park. 

Resident John Scott said: “I enjoyed the day and it brought back memories of the times I played for an amateur club at Fratton Park. I am loving watching the World Cup and have faith the boys will bring it home!”

These events were 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.

Aimee Sparks, Home Manager at Pear Tree Court, said: “We had a ball opening our doors to the local community to take part in our football activities!

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

“The training 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 the girls at Fleur De Lys FC for inviting 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.

Pear Tree Court 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 has its own cinema, pub and hair and beauty salon, and boasts plenty of space indoors and out for relaxation and recreation.