Penketh over 60 Walking Football

The Pitch

Problem statement

We have set up and currently deliver a walking football session to men in and around the Penketh and Great Sankey area who are over 60 who face multiple barriers in progressing and improving their life opportunities with thier physical and mental health once retired. This includes isolation, lack of confidence and reduced physical and mental wellbeing. By using flexible and adaptable formats of the game of football such as walking football, our aim is to continue to involve members of the community who would benefit from participation.

Solution

Walking Football rules limit the way the players can move around the pitch. By this rather than any other format of the game, we strive to create a safe space to play and as the players have the same limitations, they will play on similar levels. From playing regularly together, the participants will not only have fun, but achieve better fitness levels and be more socially active, giving them the chance to meet new people and form new friendships The funding will be spent on hiring a venue on a weekly basis, to play the game and to socialise afterwards, and engaging a qualified coach to run the sessions.

Why are we best placed to deliver?

From our involvement with this and other similar ventures, which have been succesful we are aware of the impact on the players by regular attendance at the sessions has on their physical and mental health.

Focus Areas

Delivery plan

Budget breakdown

Beneficiaries

20 people

Expected impact

We are seeing that the men who participate in the sessions, by being outside of their normal daily routine engaging with other men in a welcoming environment are improving both their physical and mental wellbeing. It’s an opportunity to be part of something that they can control, grow and own. It encourages responsibility not only to other people but to yourself and take the time to have fun and make real connections. This, we hope, can continue to make the men participating feel like they have something out of their routine that they can look forward to and to give them a sense of purpose for themselves.

Track record

Having run similar projects in this and other local areas, our sessions bring together participants from the community from different backgrounds and with different issues: physical, mental and social. From playing regularly together, the participants not only have fun, but achieve better fitness levels and be more socially active, giving them the chance to meet new people and form new friendships. Most notably we have had over 30 men over the age of 60 are engaging in physical activity on a regular basis. One participant from one of our sessions says "I think the sessions have helped me to maintain a level of health and fitness that I wouldn’t have had if I hadn’t started playing walking football. I look forward to the sessions every week, and try to plan any other activities around the sessions". We find that the men even if they are unable to play due to injury will still attend the sessions to watch and join in socially.