Age UK have been funded by the LTA Tennis Foundation to deliver Walking Tennis in eight locations across Great Britain which have been set up to encourage older people to get more active and join groups in communities. The aim is to improve not only physical and mental health, but foster social connectedness, and reduce isolation and loneliness for older people. 

Katie, who has a strong connection to Age UK explained how special the relationship with her grandparents had always been, and that she felt compelled to support the charity initially during COVID as she knew how isolated she felt at that time, and what it must be like for older people living on their own.   

When asked what being able to attend a session like this means to her, Katie said “It is something that is super close to my heart, I have been lucky enough to have the most amazing grandparents, they are a huge part of my life, and the reason I am who I am today. To see everyone out here playing, it really does make me happy”.  

Katie was able to spend time chatting with some of the service users about what the programme means to them, as a big part of it is the social element, being able to meet up with people, and have a coffee and a chat, is just as important as tennis itself.  

One service user named Derek told us about the impact that the sessions had for him; “When my wife died, I felt very low and isolated. I got in touch with Age UK Sutton, and they told me all the groups there were in my area. I thought I would try the Walking Tennis session, and it has done wonders for me. When I started coming, I had very bad mobility, and now, after eight weeks I am moving so much better, it’s been amazing. It has also really helped my wellbeing; I really enjoy the social element”