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Age UK launches new walking football programme with The FA and Sport England

Published on 22 April 2021 11:00 PM

Today, Age UK in partnership with The Football Association [The FA] and Sport England have announced the launch of a new Walking Football programme, with a goal to reach over 1,000 older people through walking football groups in communities across England over the next two years.

Local Age UKs will be funded by the partnership with The FA and Sport England to run sessions that will be delivered from late Spring 2021. Walking football is a safe, fun and inclusive way of re-introducing physical activity to women and men in later life. It enables anybody – whether they are life-long football players, lapsed players or new to the sport – to give the game a go in a supportive and sociable environment. Because age doesn’t need to be a barrier for walking football players, older people can keep their mind and body active whilst enjoying the sportsmanship and a sense of belonging that comes with being part of a team. 

Being active is good for physical and mental health whatever your age and it’s especially important as we get older. Sport England’s Active Lives data highlights that before the pandemic, we were seeing strong growth in older adult activity levels. However, since the pandemic older people’s activity levels have declined, with the proportion of people aged 55-74 who are active falling from 63% to 56%, and the proportion of people aged 75+ who are active declining from 42% to 35%. The programme will provide older people the opportunity to get out and about and increase their levels of activity following a challenging year.

The Walking Football programme also includes a focus on reaching older people living in more deprived areas of the country and those living with long-term health conditions, as research has shown that these groups are more likely to be physically inactive.

James Kendall, Director of Football Development at The FA, said: “This exciting new partnership will support the increasing popularity of walking football, allowing well over 1,000 new participants to give walking football a go when the sessions kick off in the coming months.

“We look forward to seeing players of all ability take part in what is a fun and inclusive activity, improves health and social engagement and is further evidence of the incredible role football has to play as a force for good within all communities.”

Mike Diaper, Executive Director, Health and Tackling Inactivity at Sport England, said: “Living an active life is one of the most beneficial ways that people can lead healthier and happier lives - and this is even more important when we get older. That’s why we are so pleased to partner with The FA and Age UK to bring walking football to older people in communities across England. Thanks to National Lottery players, this partnership and our investment of over £400k will help many hundreds of older people stay fit, have fun and make friends, in a safe and supportive environment.”

Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK, said: “We’re delighted to have the support of The FA and Sport England for Age UK’s Walking Football programme. We know that keeping active can improve confidence and wellbeing, help older people to live independently for longer, and reduce isolation and loneliness, whilst also being great fun! It’s been a difficult time for our older population during the pandemic, with many older people having to shield and stay at home, as well as being unable to see friends and family. The Walking Football programme will be a great opportunity for older people to feel active and socialise again in a safe environment.”

The programme is funded in partnership with The FA and Sport England, who are investing money raised by National Lottery players into the programme.

Walking football groups at local Age UKs are due to kick off across the country later in the year. All groups and sessions will be covid-secure and delivered in accordance with Government guidelines.

For more information about the Age UK Walking Football Programme and older people keeping active, please visit https://www.ageuk.org.uk/walking-football/

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Last updated: Jul 18 2024

Notes to editors:

Age UK is a national charity that works with a network of partners, including Age Scotland, Age Cymru, Age NI and local Age UKs across England, to help everyone make the most of later life, whatever their circumstances.

In the UK, the Charity helps more than seven million older people each year by providing advice and support.  It also researches and campaigns on the issues that matter most to older people. Its work focuses on ensuring that older people: have enough money; enjoy life and feel well; receive high quality health and care; are comfortable, safe and secure at home; and feel valued and able to participate.

Age UK’s subsidiary charity, Age International, supports older people globally in over 30 developing countries by funding programmes such as vital emergency relief and healthcare and campaigning to raise awareness and change policies.

Age UK is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England (registered charity number 1128267 and registered company number 6825798). Charitable services are provided through Age UK and commercial products are offered by the Charity’s Community Interest Company (CiC) (registered company number 1102972) which donates its net profits to Age UK (the Charity)

 

Age UK

We work with our national partners, Age Scotland, Age Cymru and Age NI and our local Age UK partners in England (together the Age UK Family). We also work internationally for people in later life as a member of the DEC and with our sister charity Help Age International.

Age UK believes that everyone should have the opportunity to make the most of later life, whatever their circumstances. We provide free information, advice and support to over six million people; commercial products and services to over one million customers; and research and campaign on the issues that matter to people in later life. Our work focuses on five key areas: money matters, health and well-being, home and care, work and training and leisure and lifestyle.

Age UK is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England (registered charity number 1128267 and company number 6825798). Age Concern England and Help the Aged (both registered charities), and their trading and other associated companies merged on the 1st April 2009. Together they have formed the Age UK Group ("we"). Charitable services are offered through Age UK and commercial products are offered by the Charity's trading companies, which donate their net profits to Age UK (the Charity).

For more information

Contact the Age UK Media team on 020 3033 1430 during office hours (Mon-Fri 08:30-17:30) or for out-of-hours media support please email media@ageuk.org.uk

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