A Day to Remember: Oxford Manor Residents Enjoy a VIP Matchday

As part of Advinia Healthcare’s “A Day to Remember” programme, kindly sponsored by EF Group, Oxford Manor Care Home recently had the privilege of transforming a lifelong passion for football into a truly unforgettable experience for two of its residents.

When a few residents shared how much they missed attending live football matches and feeling the electric buzz of matchday, the team at Oxford Manor wasted no time in turning that wish into reality. The home reached out to Didcot Town Football Club, who responded with warmth and enthusiasm. With the invaluable support of Kelly, a representative from the club, a special behind-the-scenes and matchday experience was soon arranged.

For Charlie, a lifelong and devoted Arsenal supporter, the day held particular meaning. His room at Oxford Manor is proudly decorated with memorabilia, and as he says, “the Gunners all the way.” Football has always been a huge part of his life, and the chance to step back into a live football environment once again, hearing the sounds of the crowd and smelling the freshly cut grass, brought deep joy.

Charlie beamed as he shared afterwards:

“I was thrilled and loved every minute of the day.”

Alongside him was Tommy, who grew up in Scotland and played football at a high level in his younger years. His passion for the game has never faded, and he continues to closely follow the scores, results, and fixtures of his local Scottish teams. Being pitch-side again brought back a wave of memories from his playing days and reinforced just how much the sport continues to mean to him.

Tommy was equally enthusiastic, saying:

“It was a fantastic experience. A tad cold but, I’ve been telling everyone and anyone about it since I got back.”

The residents travelled to the match in comfort thanks to the wonderful team at Driving Miss Daisy, whose compassionate approach and thoughtful personal touches helped make the journey both enjoyable and stress-free. On arrival at Didcot Town FC, Charlie and Tommy were welcomed through the players’ entrance and shown into the executive room, where they enjoyed tea and biscuits while meeting members of the board, the chairman, and several of the players. Their smiles said it all as they took in the warmth and hospitality from everyone at the club.

Before kick-off, the pair were delighted to meet Didcot Town’s manager, Jamie Heapy, who took time out of his day to speak with them and pose for photographs. Watching the teams warm up, hearing the referee’s whistle echo around the ground, and feeling the anticipation build was a powerful and emotional experience for them both. At half-time, they returned to the executive room for hot drinks, reflection, and conversation about the first half. Following full-time, there was the option to enjoy some food before heading back to Oxford Manor.

Although Didcot Town were narrowly beaten by Frome, the result did nothing to dampen the occasion. The true success of the day was measured not in the scoreline, but in the happiness created.

Home Manager Flenton reflected on the significance of the day:

“Experiences like this are incredibly meaningful for our residents. They strengthen our community connections and allow our residents to reconnect with lifelong passions and memories. We are extremely grateful to Didcot Town Football Club for their generosity and warmth, to Driving Miss Daisy for their exceptional support throughout the day, and to our own dedicated home team who helped make this happen.”

A special thank you also goes to Jan, for the wonderful welcome and for making sure there was no shortage of tea, cake, sandwiches and soup.

Moments like these truly embodies the heart of Advinia’s “A Day to Remember” programme. They celebrate individual stories, strengthen community bonds, and create lasting, joy-filled memories that our residents will treasure for years to come.

It really was, in every sense, a day to remember.

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