Enhancing Well-being Through Accessible Cricket Sessions in Care Homes

Cricketqube Initiative CIC, a social enterprise committed to making cricket accessible to all, launched a new project in August 2022, funded by the National Lottery. The project aimed to deliver six free cricket sessions at 12 care homes across the North East of England, focusing on improving older adults' physical and mental well-being.

Project Overview

The project was designed to bring the joy and benefits of cricket to older adults, particularly those residing in care homes. Cricketqube’s mission is to remove barriers to participation in sports by making cricket more inclusive and accessible. The National Lottery funding enabled us to offer these sessions at no cost to the care homes, ensuring that residents could engage in regular physical activity in a fun, supportive environment.

Objectives and Goals

The primary objectives of the project were:

1. To improve the physical well-being of care home residents: We aimed to increase participants' physical activity levels, thereby improving their physical health and strength.
2. To enhance mental and social well-being: The sessions were designed to promote physical health and provide social interaction and mental stimulation, reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation.
3. To establish long-term engagement with care homes: We hoped that the success of the initial sessions would lead to continued partnerships with the care homes, allowing us to deliver ongoing activities beyond the scope of the funded project, with the care homes paying for the sessions.

Project Implementation

Cricketqube successfully delivered the planned sessions at 12 different care homes, including well-known establishments such as Eothen Homes in Gosforth and Whitley Bay, Anchor Cranlea Care Home, Kingston Park, Lindisfarne Care Home, Throckley, Hepburn Manor, Hepburn. The sessions were structured to be inclusive, allowing residents of varying physical abilities to participate. The format included light exercises, adapted cricket drills, and friendly matches, ensuring that everyone could join in regardless of their mobility or experience with cricket.

Achievements and Outcomes

1. Increased Participation and Engagement

Our initial goal was to engage 15 residents across the 12 care homes per session. However, the response exceeded our expectations, with an average of 20 participants per session. This increase in engagement reflects the residents’ enthusiasm and the effectiveness of our approach. The high turnout also indicates a strong demand for such activities in care homes, where opportunities for regular physical exercise can be limited.

2. Physical Health Improvements

The sessions significantly improved participants' physical health. Residents reported feeling more energetic and physically stronger after participating in the sessions. Regular physical activity is crucial for older adults, helping to maintain mobility, balance, and overall health, and our cricket sessions provided a fun and engaging way for residents to stay active. SportFin, our impact analysis partner, estimates that our sessions have reduced the risk of cardiovascular disease for 128 people.

3. Mental Health and Social Well-being:

The social and mental health benefits of the sessions were equally significant. The structured social interaction during the cricket activities helped to reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation among the residents. The communal nature of the sessions encouraged residents to interact with one another, fostering a sense of community within the care homes. SportFin estimates that our sessions helped to reduce the depression risks for 63 people.

4. Media Recognition and Expanded Reach:

The project's success attracted media attention, further highlighting the impact of our work. Our project was featured in the Northumberland Gazette, focusing on the positive effects on residents’ mental and physical health. Following this, BBC Radio North East and BBC Look North covered our work, with the BBC even filming one of our sessions at a care home. This exposure not only raised awareness about the benefits of accessible sports programs for older adults but also led to numerous inquiries from other care homes across the North that were interested in implementing similar programs.

5. Long-term Partnerships:

One of the most significant outcomes of the project was the establishment of long-term partnerships with some of the care homes involved. Eothen Homes in Whitley Bay and Gosforth signed year-long contracts with Cricketqube to continue delivering weekly cricket sessions. This transition from short-term funded sessions to sustained, ongoing activities demonstrates the success of the project and the value placed on it by the care homes and their residents.

Challenges and Lessons Learned

While the project was highly successful, it was not without challenges. Coordinating sessions across multiple care homes required careful logistical planning, particularly ensuring that the activities were tailored to meet the needs of residents with varying levels of physical ability. We learned that flexibility in our approach was essential, as was ongoing communication with care home staff to adjust the sessions according to the residents’ needs.

Another challenge was ensuring consistent participation. While overall engagement was high, there were instances where residents were unable to participate due to health issues or conflicting activities. To address this, we worked closely with the care home staff to schedule sessions at times that were most convenient for most residents and to encourage those who were initially hesitant to join.

Resident and Staff Feedback

Feedback from residents and care home staff was overwhelmingly positive, reinforcing the value of the sessions. A resident from Lindisfarne Care Home shared, “I enjoyed playing cricket, especially when I hit that last ball.” Shereen Brewer, the activities manager at Eothen Homes, commented, “Shreen Brewer, activity co-ordinator at Eothen Homes, Newcastle, said, “All the residents have improved – but there are a handful who have mobility problems and are not good at mixing with others – we have seen a massive improvement in them.”

The staff also noted improvements in the residents’ overall well-being, including increased social interaction and reduced anxiety. The positive feedback has been a key factor in securing ongoing contracts with some of the care homes, ensuring that the project's benefits continue beyond the initial funding period.

Future Plans

We plan to expand its reach to more care homes across the North East. Based on the success of this project, we are confident that there is a strong demand for accessible sports programs in care homes. We aim to replicate the model used in this project, targeting another 12 new care homes and anticipating similar success in participation, engagement, and long-term partnerships.

Project Legacy

The National Lottery-funded project has been an outstanding success, achieving and surpassing its goals. The cricket sessions have improved the physical and mental well-being of care home residents and fostered a sense of community and joy. The media recognition and subsequent inquiries from other care homes are testaments to the project’s broader impact.

We are grateful for the support of the National Lottery, which has enabled us to make a meaningful difference in the lives of older adults across the North East. We look forward to continuing this critical work and expanding our reach to bring the benefits of accessible cricket to even more communities.