We have joined forces with Pickleball Scotland to encourage more people aged 75 and older to be more active and build positive social relationships, by taking part in regular physical activity. 

Pickleball is a racket sport often described as a combination of elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. Pickleball for Wellbeing is an adapted version of Pickleball, designed to be accessible, achievable and fun. Working in partnership, Pickleball for Wellbeing and Re-engage have launched  four six-month pilot groups in Perth, Coaltown of Balgonies, East Kilbride and Edinburgh, with two more planned for Dundee and Stirling. The aim is to roll the programme out across the whole of Scotland. 

Re-engage Engagement Officer for Scotland, Esther Lynn, explained: “Taking up a new activity like Pickleball can feel challenging for someone experiencing issues with mobility, or perhaps they feel a little overwhelmed by the thought of the sport being more competitive than they’re used to. Pickleball for Wellbeing is an adapted version, designed to accommodate different physical needs. For example, players can use soft sponge balls for low impact, or they can play from a seated position. You can play with rattle balls to help people with hearing loss or use hand paddles instead of gripping the handle of a paddle.” 

The social aspect of sport is key to the success of these new Activity Groups, and the emphasis is on enjoyment, not point-scoring. Our volunteers act as befrienders and community connectors, and Pickleball Scotland brings its expertise and network of coaches to deliver a collaborative safe, active, and social space for people to spend time together. Esther continued: “The partnership is what makes these groups particularly special; each participant brings their strengths and skills, creating a genuine example of successful community delivery.” 

The groups are held in sports halls or community centres with space to take a rest and enjoy refreshments after the session. This approach means attendees are also exposed to other community events or social groups in the area. Pickleball for Wellbeing is proving to be a fantastic way to welcome older people – who are often underrepresented in sport - to stay active. The team has worked hard to ensure that sessions and post-group refreshments are free by using community spaces so anyone can attend.. 

Sandra Macrae, Lead Safeguarding and Inclusion Officer, Coach Development Team for Pickleball Scotland, said: “The aims of the project are aligned with the new Scottish Government Physical Activity for Health framework outcomes. We are excited about this partnership work, which is an excellent example of how community-based interventions like the Re-engage Pickleball for Wellbeing activity groups can support the local population to be more active and build positive social relationships that reduce loneliness.”