Walking Football

The Pitch

Problem statement

Flintshire's population exceeds 150,000 and is the most densely populated county in North Wales. Between 1998-2018, the proportion of the population aged 65 and over has increased from 18.5% to 23.0%. Covid leading to furlough or unemployment has seen this number further increase (source: Welsh Government). The impact of an ageing population on local services is widely reported therefore it is important that as a community we ensure that older people in the area have an opportunity to engage in activities to help improve their wellbeing and reduce the pressure on key services. Therefore, Buckley Town FC as a Community focussed Club would like to offer walking football for this age group.

Solution

To raise awareness of the importance of physical and mental wellbeing and provide walking football for ages 55+ to help achieve this. The funding will be used in the following way to raise awareness through various media outlets, local leaflet drop, provision of playing facilities (indoor sports hall during winter, outdoor grass/3G in the summer). The approximate cost of facilities are Sports Hall - £40 per hour, Grass - £250 per ‘season’, equipment (footballs, bibs, goals), referees / coaching personnel where needed. The expected impact is that a large growing segment of the community will have greater social interaction and improved physical and mental health wellbeing.

Why are we best placed to deliver?

Buckley Town FC has an established facility where some of the above activity can take place. With existing links to the voluntary sector, the Club can reach its target audience through direct and indirect engagement. Buckley Town FC has a number of volunteers experienced in arranging footballing activities and managing an organised league which allows a greater proportion of the funding to be used in the direct provision of walking football. The club can offer further opportunities for those involved in walking football to volunteer at the club which will draw on the participants skill set, improve their mental wellbeing and provide an enhanced sense of worth.

Focus Areas

Delivery plan

Budget breakdown

Beneficiaries

60 people

Expected impact

The ultimate aim as a community football club will be to target groups not currently catered for in the community. In this case older men and women. A key target for this project is to benefit at least 60 people. The project will help improve physical activity for men aged 50+ and women aged 40+ within the Flintshire area. The NHS recommend that older adults should do at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity a week. The weekly sessions would count towards this target. It will also help with mental wellbeing by providing opportunities for older people to socialise and make friendships. This will ultimately lessen the impact on local services as it helps them achieve a healthier lifestyle. We would undertake a survey at the end of the project to fully understand how this project has contributed to their physical activity, mental health and general wellbeing. This will help document fully the benefits of offering walking football in the local area.

Track record

We are the largest volunteer community football club in North Wales composed of 2000 people which includes players, parents and managers. We have an extensive record in providing football to a variety of people from young boys and girls all the way up to Vets football 35+.

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