9th July 2026
Football fever has officially kicked off at a Thame care home as residents welcomed a local walking football team for an afternoon of sporting fun.
Care UK’s Cuttlebrook Hall, on Stock Road, teamed up with members of the Thame Red Kites Walking Football Team to enjoy a friendly match and join the nation in celebrating a huge summer of sport.
Walking football offers a slower-paced, low-impact version of the traditional game, making it accessible for people who may have previously stepped away from the sport due to injury, age or fitness concerns.
Cuttlebrook Hall resident, Pat Powell, said: “It was great! Most of all, I loved the atmosphere of it; I never expected to be playing football at this stage of my life. It felt fantastic!"
Volunteers from the team led the residents in a competitive walking football match and officially inducted them as honorary members of the club. Each new ‘signing’ was presented with a specially designed kit complete with their age as their shirt number.
Co-founder of the Red Kites, Colin Tomkinson said: “We want to encourage greater participation in sport and physical activity among adults of all ages and abilities in the local community.”
The celebration was part of Care UK’s ‘Goal-den Moments' initiative, which is designed to bring communities together, encouraging residents to reminisce about cherished football memories and create new experiences.
Alana Corr, Home Manager at Cuttlebrook Hall, said: “We had a ball opening our doors to Thame Red Kites to take part in some walking football! For many residents, football is more than just the beautiful game – it represents a lifetime of treasured memories and traditions. This event allowed us to honour these special moments and create new ones to cherish.
“It was truly heartwarming to watch residents’ faces light up as they reminisced and swapped stories with the Red Kites. We’re hugely grateful to the team for their enthusiasm and judging by some of the skills on display, the residents still have plenty of goal-den skills to show off!”
Thame Red Kites host weekly sessions at Lord William Lower School in Thame every Wednesday from 6pm-7pm for just £5 and no experience is necessary to get involved in this inclusive, community-focused initiative.
For more information about Goal-den Moments, please visit www.careuk.com/goal-den-moments.
Cuttlebrook Hall is a state-of-the-art care home that provides full-time residential and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. The home incorporates plenty of space for leisure activities and hobbies and includes its own cinema, hair and beauty salon and pub.
