Working with our partners in the North East, SMILE Through Sport, we have created a virtual boccia competition to introduce boccia into residential and care homes across Durham, Northumberland and Tyne and Wear. This project has been generously funded by the 1989 Willan Charitable Trust.

When homes sign up to the competition, they receive a box packed with boccia equipment and a competition target mat. The care home residents practise their boccia skills using the equipment for two weeks and in their final week complete the challenges on the competition target. The box is then collected, cleaned, and passed onto another home.

Boccia is a fantastic activity for older people as it's played from a seated position and is perfect for those with limited mobility. This has been a tough time for residential and care home residents, and taking part in boccia provides a great way to improve mental and physical wellbeing.

  

One care home manager said, "The residents say Boccia is one of their favourite games. For me the competition has brought so much to the residents. More of them joined in than usual and it was great to see such joy on their faces when they scored points. They were also thrilled to be working as a team against other homes."

Residential and care homes have the chance to win a boccia set worth £250 through the competition.

      

If you run a care home in Durham, Northumberland, or Tyne and Wear and would like to get involved, email [email protected] or call 01670 457 757. Places are given on a first come, first served basis.