Ask anyone within badminton what the best thing is about their beloved sport, and there’s a good chance that their answer will mention the fact that it is a sport that can be enjoyed by all ages. And over in the north east, the Tyneside Badminton Centre is going a long way to proving that badminton really doesn’t have an age limit.
Their new “Sit & Hit” initiative is tailored specifically for older adults and those with limited mobility, and is bringing the joy of racquet sport to care home residents across Newcastle.
The scheme was originally launched as a six-week pilot earlier in the year, with three TBC staff hosting an hour of seated badminton at Kenton Hall Care Home. It proved so popular with the residents that TBC have now expanded the programme, with Kirkwood Court Care Home in Kenton among the new welcome recipients.
The sessions are run by trained community coaches and are fully adaptable, using lightweight rackets and balloons rather than shuttlecocks.
Tyneside Badminton Centre development officer Joe Robinson is one of the scheme’s founders. He says that not only is the initiative allowing residents to enjoy more social time, but it’s also helping to alleviate some ailments.
“I am very proud with how far it has come,” he told Badminton England. “Myself, Amy [Kirsopp] and Sarah [Burtenshaw], we have all said it is the most heartwarming hour of our week because every time we go in, we see people smiling who maybe do not smile that often and having a good time.
“A lot of them sit in their rooms or chairs with very few visits from family members so the scheme is about giving them an environment to enjoy.
“We went in with the intention of it not being competitive, for it just to be fun and social but it can get quite intense, some people like to hit the balloons really hard!
“It gives them the opportunity to spend time with others outside of the four walls of their room. We have residents tell us that it has helped ease their arthritis in their hands so that is just some of the positive news we like to hear.”
Find out more about the Tyneside Badminton Centre
