What does walking football have to do with singing?
Quite a lot, actually.
Both bring people together, reduce loneliness, improve mental wellbeing, build confidence and create a real sense of belonging. You don’t need to be an expert to take part, just willing to give it a go. Whether you’re singing your heart out or passing a football, it’s about connection, laughter and being part of something bigger than yourself.
That’s exactly why, through our sister Community Interest Company Hanley and the Baird Dreampot, we launched Walking Football with the fantastic support of Vivian from Walking Football Scotland.
We were absolutely delighted when 30 people turned up for our very first session. We started with a warm-up, learned some skills through a few drills, and then got stuck into some friendly games. People of all ages joined in, everyone encouraged one another, and there was plenty of laughter along the way.
Just like our choirs, it wasn’t about being the best player on the pitch, it was about getting active, meeting new people, making friends and having fun. Judging by the smiles at the end of the session, we’re off to a great start.
