Walking Football helping people to socialise and keep fit
More people living with a physical health condition are enjoying Walking Football thanks to a grant of £4,000 from Gloucestershire County Council’s Thriving Communities Grant.
Abbeymead Rovers’ walking football club ‘Pirates’ is held at Abbeydale Community Centre and aimed at supporting people living with a health condition to get active. It received a grant for £4,000 which has funded the walking football courts, equipment and kit enabling more people to enjoy this inclusive and fun sport, as well as support for volunteers.
As part of the sessions, the group spend time developing movement, coordination and balance whilst playing this non-contact sport.
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A warm-up encourages and improves coordination and balance
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Working in partners forms connections, friendship, and support networks
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Basic football skills are developed
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Game play encourages teamwork, non-competitive but fun for all players
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Participants stay after the activity for refreshments, to catch up with friends, welcome new players, and even celebrate birthdays
Pirates primarily works with people living with a physical health condition such as a disability, impairment, illness or injury, as well as those recovering from recent surgery or a fall, their carers and volunteers. However, increasingly individuals with mental health conditions are also enjoying sessions having been recommended to the sport by a social prescriber.
The investment has meant that more people than ever before are enjoying this opportunity to socialise, have fun and keep fit. Partners and carers are also welcomed and encouraged to join in.
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82 year old Brian has been coming for 2 years and recently received a ‘golden boot’ award. The social aspect is really important for him as well as physical health.
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Tony who has Parkinson’s, has been coming for 12 months and was selected for the England Parkinson’s team.
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Graham played competitive sport previously and was looking to stay active as he got older. He heard through a coffee morning with friends about the Abbeymead Rovers walking football and is now a regular attendee.
Volunteers come from across Gloucester to support and the model has been such a success, the club is looking to replicate and expand in other areas..
Pirates numbers continue to grow, with 40+ attendees some weeks. One member, James, is a finalist in the BBC make a difference awards.
For more details please visit Abbeymead Rovers - Walking Football (walking-football.com)
Stuart Langworthy has been to Eastleigh and Derby recently, and supported a club in Bournemouth and West Yorkshire in the last month. Stuart has written a blog about the club: