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  • Walking Football team completes mammoth trek across Great Britain

25 May 2022

Walking Football team completes mammoth trek across Great Britain

Our Walking Football group has completed a virtual tour from one end of Great Britain to the other to raise awareness of the importance of physical exercise for older people. 

Seven residents from our retirement communities across the country joined together to complete our Walking Football Programme. The programme lasted 10 weeks and consisted of virtual walking and football training challenges covering 874 miles which is the distance from Land’s End to John O’Groats.

  

The seven inspiring athletes were: Terry Keen from Willow Glade in Reigate, Dorothy Ireland from Birch Court in Leicester, Heather Rowell from Hanover Court in Burleigh Mews, Sheila Kidd from Luke Lade Court in Hailsham, Kyrie Ganter from Millfield Court in Peterborough, Ann Stephens from Stevenson Court in Bolton and Barbara Spray from St Catherine’s Court in Littlehampton.  

Coached by Stuart Langworthy who is the England Team Manager for Over 60s Walking Football, the seven players took part in training challenges like keepie uppies, passing and penalties. They met up weekly on Zoom to discuss their progress and also have fun with a weekly quiz!  

The magnificent seven completed their virtual journey on Tuesday 3 May. They celebrated with a virtual award ceremony for completing the programme, as well as several individual awards for members of the team. These included the most distance covered, won by Terry Keen, and the brain box award for most correct quiz answers, won by Ann Stephens. 

The team were all delighted to complete the distance and amazed how much taking part in active exercises had helped them, not just in terms of exercise but also improve their happiness and wellbeing too. 

One of the participants, Heather Rowell, said the programme had been a wonderful experience. She said:

The Walking Football programme transformed me – inside and out! I’ve no idea how we managed to complete such a large distance in just 10 weeks, and it really helped my physical fitness and my confidence.  

It seems like such a small thing; a group of strangers coming together to complete challenges and talk about what they’ve achieved but it really has helped me in so many ways! I’ve met some wonderful people, we encouraged each other, laughed together and became a real team. Our football skills improved a lot too!

Stuart Langworthy, England Team Manager for Over 60s Walking Football, was delighted with the group’s achievement, saying:

I’m extremely proud of the team, they’ve done something truly special. We’ve come a long way, not just in distance travelled but also in how much their football skills have increased! 

People think that once you get older you can’t be as active as you used to, but there’s nothing stopping older people from being fit, active and healthy. Walking Football is a really good example of this, and it also provides a good chance to socialise and meet new people. Building a team is key to activities like this. They are all there to help each other in a fun and competitive but supportive group. Members do not compete against anyone other than themselves, just trying to challenge their own achievements that contribute towards the team goal.  

It has been a real privilege and a great legacy for me that some of the group are now trying to organise something similar where they live. They are all stars and great ambassadors. I’d like to say a huge thank you to Anchor for organising this programme!

The Walking Football programme is part of  Be Well, our range of resident wellbeing services to ensure our residents are supported to stay active, healthy and feel part of their retirement communities.

Read more from Anchor

Simon Marks Court care home praised by care regulator
23 May 2025

Simon Marks Court care home praised by care regulator

A Leeds care home is delighted to have been classed as ‘good’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the second highest rating possible.

Mayor of Felixstowe unveils new wellbeing room at The Firs to support dementia care
22 May 2025

Mayor of Felixstowe unveils new wellbeing room at The Firs to support dementia care

The Firs care home in Felixstowe celebrated the opening of its new Namaste Room, a multi-sensory room to enhance the wellbeing of residents, including those living with dementia.

Skelton Court care home praised by care regulator
21 May 2025

Skelton Court care home praised by care regulator

A Skelton-in-Cleveland care home is delighted to have been classed as ‘good’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the second highest rating possible.

Residents and guests celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day at The Wharf
19 May 2025

Residents and guests celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day at The Wharf

On 7 May, members of the local community joined residents at The Wharf development in Rochester, Kent for its Victory in Europe (VE) Day celebrations.

Anchor steps back in time to celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day at The Chimes, Bingley
19 May 2025

Anchor steps back in time to celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day at The Chimes, Bingley

On 7 May, members of the local community joined residents at The Chimes development in Bingley, West Yorkshire for its Victory in Europe (VE) Day celebrations.

Trinity Lodge care home hosts 4 day event to celebrate VE Day
14 May 2025

Trinity Lodge care home hosts 4 day event to celebrate VE Day

Residents and colleagues at Trinity Lodge care home came together for four days of commemorative celebrations to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.

Sara Thomson appointed as Interim Chief Risk Officer for Anchor
13 May 2025

Sara Thomson appointed as Interim Chief Risk Officer for Anchor

Anchor is delighted to welcome Sara Thomson as Interim Chief Risk Officer (CRO).

Hurst Park Court care home praised by care regulator
13 May 2025

Hurst Park Court care home praised by care regulator

The Liverpool care home is delighted to have been classed as ‘good’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the second highest rating possible.

Shaping a career in care: The role and responsibilities of the Service Improvement team
13 May 2025

Shaping a career in care: The role and responsibilities of the Service Improvement team

Asa Johnson is Anchor’s National Service Improvement Manager and leads a team of Service Improvement Advisors. In his blog, he shares how he came into the role and his day-to-day responsibilities.

The importance of personalised dementia care
12 May 2025

The importance of personalised dementia care

Asa Johnson, our Service Improvement Manager, shares his expert view on personalised dementia care in a featured article on the Care Choices website.

Seven Anchor care homes across the Northwest unite for VE Day 80th anniversary celebration
12 May 2025

Seven Anchor care homes across the Northwest unite for VE Day 80th anniversary celebration

Seven Anchor care homes from across the Northwest came together to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.

Generations unite to celebrate 80th anniversary of VE Day at Skelton Court care home
9 May 2025

Generations unite to celebrate 80th anniversary of VE Day at Skelton Court care home

Residents and colleagues at Skelton Court care home in Skelton-in-Cleveland marked the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day with an intergenerational celebration.

Wetherby Manor care home celebrates 80th anniversary of VE Day
9 May 2025

Wetherby Manor care home celebrates 80th anniversary of VE Day

Residents and colleagues at Wetherby Manor care home in Wetherby came together in celebration to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.

Mayflower Court care home throws garden tea party to commemorate VE Day 80th anniversary
9 May 2025

Mayflower Court care home throws garden tea party to commemorate VE Day 80th anniversary

A care home in Southampton held a garden tea party to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day.

John Brookes shares how an apprenticeship helped his career progression at Anchor
9 May 2025

John Brookes shares how an apprenticeship helped his career progression at Anchor

John, who was born and raised in Walsall, started as a Catering Assistant Apprentice at our Harden Hall care home in 2018 and has thrived in his role, progressing to Chef Manager.

Townend care home holds garden party to commemorate VE Day 80th anniversary
8 May 2025

Townend care home holds garden party to commemorate VE Day 80th anniversary

Townend care home in Keighley held a garden party to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day.

Without these classes I would feel lost
7 May 2025

Without these classes I would feel lost

Linda Kelly, a resident at Sutherland Court in Penge, shares her experience of using the Be Active service available to residents to support with physical wellbeing.

How Extra Care helped one resident gain back their independence
7 May 2025

How Extra Care helped one resident gain back their independence

Hear from Mick, one of our residents, about how moving to Anchor Extra Care Housing helped him regain his independence after a brain injury.

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