A lifeline through movement
For many carers, time for themselves can be hard to come by. Responsibilities are constant, emotional pressure is high, and opportunities to step away, even briefly, can feel out of reach.
Through Get Out Get Active (GOGA) programme partner Foundation of Light, inclusive activities like walking football are creating vital spaces where people can reconnect with themselves, and with others.
For David, known to everyone as Dave, those spaces matter deeply.
Dave is a full-time carer for his wife, providing around five hours of care each day, mostly in the afternoons. That routine means his mornings are precious, and it is during those mornings that walking football has become part of his life.
More than a game
“I know I can get depressed at times,” Dave shares. "But these morning sessions are a way of getting my mind off things and having some banter with the guys."
The walking football sessions offer exactly what Dave needs, structure, laughter, and a sense of normality. Some days he plays, other days he referees, depending on how many people attend. Either way, he is part of it.
That sense of belonging has been especially important given Dave’s health challenges. He has lived through a heart attack, his first at just 32, a minor stroke, and ongoing knee problems. With a knee operation scheduled that may rule him out of playing football for up to a year, Dave is realistic, but determined.
“Even if I can’t play, I’ll still look to come along and referee some games,” he says.
Being there matters.
Reclaiming identity and connection
Dave originally joined the sessions to play the sport he loves and to meet new people. What he found went far beyond that.
“The session means everything to me,” he explains. “It allowed me to make new friends, build relationships within the group, and improve my physical activity.”
For carers especially, identity can become tightly wrapped around responsibility. Walking football has given Dave a place where he is not defined by caring duties or medical history, but simply as one of the group.
The physical benefits are important, but so too is the emotional lift. The conversations, the shared jokes, and the mutual understanding among participants create an environment where people can show up exactly as they are.
Why inclusive activity matters
Walking football through GOGA is about removing barriers and adapting activity so more people can take part, whether that’s due to age, health conditions, disability, or caring responsibilities. It allows people to stay connected to sport, movement, and community in ways that feel achievable and welcoming.
Dave is clear about the value of the sessions.
“I would recommend them to others because of the exercise you get and the chance to meet new people.”
In his words, walking football has given him space to breathe, time to reset, and friendships that matter. It is a reminder that inclusive activity doesn’t just improve physical health, it supports mental wellbeing, resilience, and connection.
Sometimes, one morning a week can make all the difference.
Read more about GOGA's impact and how it's changing lives across the country.
