HC-One’s Kirkwood Court Care Home in Kenton, Newcastle upon Tyne, is proud to be partnering with Tyneside Badminton Centre to launch their innovative ‘Sit & Hit’ badminton programme.
The Sit & Hit initiative brings a fresh, exciting twist to traditional badminton by adapting the sport for seated play, making it accessible for older adults and individuals with limited mobility. Designed to encourage gentle physical activity, hand-eye coordination, and social interaction, the programme is already proving to be a hit with residents and colleagues alike.
The pilot sessions, trialled earlier this year in partnership with the team at Tyneside Badminton Centre at a different care home, received overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants. Now, as the wider roll-out begins of the programme, residents at Kirkwood Court are getting involved and reaping the benefits.
HC-One Home Manager Karen Stewart, said:
"We’re absolutely thrilled to see Sit & Hit become a regular activity at our home. It’s not just about exercise, it’s about joy, laughter, and shared experiences. Residents are having fun, building connections, and staying active in a way that’s enjoyable and inclusive for everyone."
Recent sessions have been filled with laughter, light-hearted competition, and moments of genuine connection, with colleagues and residents cheering each other on. The sessions are designed to suit all abilities and can be tailored to individual needs, making them a perfect fit for the Kirkwood Court community.
Joe Robinson, Development Officer at Tyneside Badminton Centre, stated:
"It has been great fun introducing the Sit and Hit programme to the residents at Kirkwood Court and meeting all the great characters. There have been fantastic numbers getting involved all enjoying the benefits of the exercise along with the social and at times competitive side of badminton! With the recent hot weather, we even had the challenge of a welcomed but tricky to navigate breeze involved too!"
The partnership reflects HC-One’s wider commitment to supporting wellbeing and quality of life for those living in their homes. Programmes such as Sit & Hit demonstrate the organisation’s drive to introduce creative, meaningful activities that go beyond the ordinary.
With continued support from Tyneside Badminton Centre and enthusiasm from residents, Kirkwood Court hopes to inspire other care homes across the region to explore similar activity-based partnerships that focus on inclusivity, enjoyment, and overall wellbeing.