Clock Cricket on BBC Wales Live!
We had a great opportunity to work with BBC Wales in producing a short video that highlights the benefits of clock cricket to the older generation. This film was featured on BBC Wales Live!
Working with Age UK
We hope you enjoy the contents of this video produced by Hertfordshire Sports Partnership in collaboration with Age UK Hertfordshire
From Kerryn Atkins - Team Leader and Locality Worker,
Hertswise Community Dementia Service
I have been working in partnership with Clock Cricket as a representative of Hertswise for over 5 years. Clock Cricket, and both Richard and Sean have been an integral part of our dementia hub activities in this time.
Their reliability, consistency, active communication not only make bookings, sessions and follow on effective. But it is their kindness and awareness that really sets them apart from the rest.
Our groups support local people weekly living with dementia or memory loss and their carers. We book for them to do cricket sessions at our two hour hubs.
However, when they attend our hubs, they don’t just run a cricket session. They arrive when the clients do and spend this time talking to each of them, gauging how to deliver the session and what would work best for those individuals on that day and overall offering a friendly smile and listening ear to those who attend. But not only that, they allow and become part of Hertswise, they join in and are incredibly aware to ensure that it isn't the group and cricket.. its hard to explain but we become one. Which for our clients and in their space is invaluable.
The have attended in their own time, our Dementia Awareness Training sessions and have actively included us when making decisions for new games/ equipment for groups to ensure it will benefit the clients most.
Sean and Richard are very talented at their jobs and roles, but are incredibly considerate of the people they support. They are honestly a joy to have as part of Hertswise and our groups. The sessions bring nothing but happiness, smiles and laughter to all.
Hertswise Dementia Hubs
Read what Mary has to say.....
Clock cricket is a really good activity for my dementia groups. Clients love the fun and the banter, and nobody feels that they are exercising but of course they are.
Even people with fairly advanced dementia have been encouraged to take a turn with batting and bowling, and exhibit a sense of achievement when they manage to hit the ball or throw it accurately.
One client's daughter approached me after a session and said that she had been amazed at her Mum's ability to even take part, never mind hit the ball as strongly as she did, as she has lost confidence in so many ways and has withdrawn from most activities; the clock cricket seemed to have awoken the sporting ability that she had when younger, and just for an afternoon she had regained her self esteem and sense of accomplishment.
Sean and Richard always make it a fun session and will always take time to talk and encourage everyone to have a go. It is about more than the physical exercise, it brings a renewed feeling of being able to participate in a group activity which lifts people's spirits and make a real difference to their overall wellbeing
Mary Green - Hertswise Locality Worker, Mind Hertfordshire Network
Howard Cottage....
Dementia Community Hubs
Recent interview following a number of delivered Clock Cricket sessions within different Howard Cottage locations
Abbeyfield Society
To mark the opening of a brand new housing scheme for Abbeyfield, we at Clock Cricket were invited to deliver a session....
More kind words.....
User comments...
Hertswise
Hollie Rauber....
“Clock cricket enables Hertswise clients to participate in an activity that stimulates them both physically and mentally, relieving tension, improving circulation, and toning of muscles. Hertswise clients are all living with dementia. The type of dementia and the progression of the dementia varies from individual to individual and so do the signs and symptoms.
Clock cricket is an inclusive activity which facilitates social bonding, increases self- esteem and confidence. The real benefit of clock cricket is that it focusses on what the individual can do rather than on the disability - many of our clients have aphasia, which means that at times they struggle to verbally participate in group discussions/ reminiscing activities, but excel in low risk, structured, physical activity.
It’s a great activity for hand eye coordination and dexterity, a relatively simple activity, which benefits the clients not only at the time, but assists them with their general daily functioning. Hertswise clients continually ask for Andy and Richard to visit our groups, not only because the activity allows them to bond with others and creates a sense of worth and enjoyment, but ultimately because of the obvious passion and care Andy and Richard have in helping and improving everyone’s wellbeing. Some of our clients may struggle to remember what they did yesterday, but they always remember/ recognise Andy and Richard.”
Hollie Rauber – Team Leader and East Herts Locality Worker – Hertswise
Welwyn Hatfield Day Services
Hassasn Hallil......
I am writing to express our thanks for the success and the impact that your cricket sessions have had on the service users at Welwyn and Hatfield day services. When we first met and discussed setting up a group the service users were apprehensive, as most of them had never played cricket before and it was all a new experience. From our first session with you and your team’s support and encouragement and the understanding of the disabilities and how complex it can be. The group grew in confidence and their skill levels developed from week to week. We had a few in the group who would never get involved in any sports and just wanted to watch. After a few weeks of gentle encouragement, the entire group joined in and a year later we have a happy, enthusiastic, confident group who look forward to playing cricket and all have learnt many skills.
The service users would like the cricket sessions to continue well into the future, as this has become an important part of their lives, not only as a sport but also keeping fit, team building and communication skills. Everyone is proud of how much has been achieved over the year and want to carry on the success with the support of you and your team and of the staff at Welwyn Hatfield day services.
Abbeyfield
Howzat possible? Clock Cricket proves a big hit for older people living with Abbeyfield
THERE are cheers and high-fives all around as 94-year-old Mary scores her first ‘runs’ after going in to bat in a brand-new version of cricket developed for older, less mobile players.
Mary, who is registered blind, was the proud team captain of her winning ‘Yorkshire’ side in a Clock Cricket match, a new sporting concept that is putting a different spin on the centuries’ old game.
Former munitions worker Mary, along with fellow team members including Donald - who is well on his way to becoming a 100 years-old and not out – are residents at Abbeyfield The Dales’ award-winning Fern House in Bingley, West Yorkshire. They were among the first in the world to play Clock Cricket which has been developed to enhance the physical and mental wellbeing of older people living in care homes.
Mary said: “It’s been absolutely wonderful. I’ve enjoyed everything. I’ve never played cricket, but my Dad always loved it. I didn’t think for a minute I could throw or hit a ball – I am registered blind. I’ve always been the sort of person to have a go at everything – I don’t just want to be sitting around. I’ve never been a team captain either – wait until my kids find out!”.
The game, which is the brainchild of Richard Hill, the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) Disability Cricket Pathway Manager, is played indoors using a sponge ball and a foam bat. A social, fun and competitive pursuit aimed at encouraging the less able or active to take up a physical activity or try something new, players sit in a circle and face four balls each to determine the winner.
Clock Cricket CIC are registered in England. Company Registration Number: 14161806
© 2020
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