Whilst for many Wimbledon will already seem like a distant memory, residents at Pickering and Ferens Homes are just getting started on honing their tennis skills.
The association is encouraging residents to take advantage of the tennis sessions after joining forces with a project aimed at encouraging older people to participate in sport.
Claire Warren, Pickering and Ferens Homes’ chief executive, said the sessions being organised in partnership with Hull City Council initiative Active Gold present a fantastic opportunity to encourage residents to tackle a range of health and wellbeing issues.
She said: “We are encouraging our residents to get involved with these sessions, as they provide a perfect opportunity to keep fitness up and meet new people. The link up is part of our commitment to providing our residents with as many opportunities as possible to maintain their health and well-being, as well as tackling issues such as loneliness and isolation. We believe these sessions will be of great benefit to residents and they are a great excuse for our residents to get out and play tennis over the summer months, whilst socialising with others.”
Active Gold is an initiative designed to increase participation in sports and activities in Hull for people aged over-65. It has been successful in designing projects and sessions to improve the health and wellbeing of older people.
There is already an established group meeting on Monday mornings at the Hull FC Sports Performance Centre, in Pickering Road, west Hull, and Active Gold is working with PFH to try and set up a similar group in the east of the city as well.
Claire Champlin, Hull City Council’s sports development officer, said the tennis sessions have been well-received in Hull.
She said: “The group we hold on a Monday morning involves touch tennis with a low-compression ball, which is ideal for people over 60. The sessions have already been well attended, but we are encouraging Pickering and Ferens residents – and the wider community – to come along and get involved.
“We believe residents will enjoy these sessions and we are looking to set up more sessions across the city so more over-60s can get involved in tennis.”
The sessions at the Hull FC Sports Performance Centre on Monday mornings start at 10.30am and last 1 hour and 15 minutes. The session costs £2 to attend with all equipment provided.