Having a ball: Fareham care home residents team up with community for matchday magic
Football fever has officially kicked off at a care home in Fareham as residents welcomed the local community for an afternoon of sporting fun.
Care UK’s Parker Meadows, on Redlands Lane, teamed up with visitors to take part in a football-themed fete and join the nation in celebrating the huge summer of sport.
Guests were invited to let their competitive spirit shine in a series of head-to-head table football matches to win their own Ballon d'Or trophies.
There was also a host of stalls to browse, including books, handbags and toys, as well as a raffle with numerous prizes to be won.
All the proceeds went to Wessex Neurological Centre, which provides care and support to those living with a range of conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and epilepsy.
Guests were treated to a delicious barbecue, specially prepared by the home’s Head Chef, Mike Callaway, while sipping on Pimm’s and other refreshments.
Resident Ray said: “The day was full of joy, and the World Cup especially reminds me of when England won the World Cup in 1966. I remember being lifted on his father’s shoulders as they wandered down The Mall with everyone cheering the success of the England Tea”
Paul added: “I really enjoyed beating other players, including our CRM and Home Manager!”
The event was part of Care UK’s ‘Goal-den Moments' initiative, which aims to bring generations together and encourage residents to reminisce about cherished football memories with the local community while sharing new experiences.
Lukasz Mikolaj Irzabek, Home Manager at Parker Meadows, said: “We had a ball opening our doors to the community to take part in our football fete!
“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 bring them to life once again.
“It was a wonderful opportunity to bring the local community together for a day of matchday magic. It was truly heartwarming to watch residents reminisce and share their favourite football stories from years gone by.
“We’d like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who joined us and made this a day to remember. With spirits high, everyone involved proved they still have plenty of goal-den skills to show off!”
For more information about Goal-den Moments, please visit careuk.com/goal-den-moments.
Parker Meadows provides full-time residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. The home incorporates plenty of space for hobby and leisure activities in addition to independent-living bungalows on site. The layout of the building is configured into a series of individual suites, each having a dedicated lounge and dining room to facilitate the creation of close-knit communities.
To find out more about Parker Meadows, please call Customer Relations Manager Joe Gould on 01329 889 571, email [email protected] or visit careuk.com/parker-meadows.