Women’s Walking Football Club Scores at The Burlington

Residents at The Burlington, Boutique Care Homes’ care home in Shepperton, were treated to a lively morning of walking football this month as part of Care Home Open Week, when the Sheppertonesses Women’s Walking Football Club visited for a special community event.

The team arrived not just to play, but to share. They spoke to residents, team, and visitors about the benefits of walking football, making the case for a sport that has quickly become something of a community institution in Shepperton. Then came the main event: team were invited onto the pitch for a friendly game, much to the delight of residents cheering from the sidelines. A handful of red cards were handed out along the way, all met with laughter rather than protest.

The Sheppertonesses were founded in October 2024 by local resident Denise, whose inspiration came from an unlikely source: England’s historic European Championship win at Wembley in 2022. What started with a few posters around the village and a Facebook post has grown into a weekly club of 19 players, with members ranging in age, including players over 70. For Denise, the morning at The Burlington captured exactly what the club is about. “Today was a real joy,” she said. “It’s not just about staying active, it’s about connection, confidence, and community. Moments like this remind me why this sport matters so much and how proud I am of the supportive team we have built and how far we have come.”

That sense of community runs through the club at every level. One of the players who took part on the day put it simply: “It was wonderful to be so warmly welcomed, and especially lovely to see staff join in, something the residents clearly enjoyed. We really appreciated the chance to chat afterwards. Thank you all for such a memorable and enjoyable morning.”

For The Burlington, the visit was very much the point. Kirsty Ford, Admissions Manager at the home, is clear that Care Home Open Week is an opportunity to challenge assumptions about what life in a care home actually looks like. “It’s easy to assume that moving into a care home means stepping back from life, but that couldn’t be further from what we believe,” she said. “We want our residents to feel part of something, and we want the community to feel welcome here. The Sheppertonesses embodied that perfectly.”

Sarah Burt, Head of Lifestyle and Wellbeing at The Burlington, had an equally memorable morning, though for reasons she’s still coming to terms with. “Watching our residents light up as the game got going, cheering on the players and joining in the banter, was exactly what mornings like this are all about,” she said. “I’ll admit the red cards flew around with impressive enthusiasm, and I’m not entirely sure I escaped without picking one up myself. We can’t wait for the next match.”

The Burlington’s commitment to community runs deep, and mornings like this one are less an exception than a way of life at the home.

About the Sheppertonesses Women’s Walking Football Club Founded in October 2024 by Denise in Shepperton, Surrey, the Sheppertonesses is a women’s walking football club created to give women in the local community the chance to stay active, meet new people, and have fun. The club now has 19 members who meet weekly, with players of all ages including those over 70. Follow the Sheppertonesses on Instagram: @sheppertonesses