NORMAN’S STORY After moving to Sittingbourne, Norman left behind a busy and fulfilling retired life with lots of community groups, which at first meant losing the social circles he’d built up over the years. But then he joined the Sittingbourne Walking Cricket hub, despite not having played for 50 years. As well as helping him find a new group of like-minded people, it also motivated him to get fitter at home. He even set up a little gym in his garage and now regularly practises his catching. A year on, his love of cricket is back, and Norman says he feels fitter, moves more easily, and has made plenty of new friends. SALLY’S STORY Sally cares full-time for her husband, who is disabled, and was looking for something that would get her out of the house, give her a bit of a break, and help her stay active. She was a bit nervous about joining at first, but the Canterbury Walking Cricket hub has ended up having a “big impact on [her] life”. It’s not just about being active — it’s a place where she feels supported, encouraged and connected to others. She now happily practises her skills at home, takes part in friendly inter-county matches, and really values the friendships she’s built with the other players. Those connections have made a real difference to both her mental and physical wellbeing. 6 7 WALKING CRICKET ‘NO BOUNDARIES’ PROJECT GROW THE GAME OPEN TO ALL FORCE FOR GOOD GROW THE GAME OPEN TO ALL FORCE FOR GOOD The ‘No Boundaries’ project is designed to take the power of cricket to non-traditional environments. At the heart of the project is a mobile youth engagement vehicle, that can reach areas that the traditional game cannot and inspire young people to engage with cricket and sport more widely in an innovative and modern way. The Walking Cricket programme continued to flourish in 2025, demonstrating how sport can bring people together, improve wellbeing, and create meaningful social connections. Seven hubs with 90 participants operated county-wide. The programme maintained high and stable attendance reflecting its value to older adults, those living with long-term health conditions, and individuals seeking gentle physical activity. THE FIRST YOUTH ENGAGEMENT BUS IN THE CRICKET NETWORK In July 2025, Kent Cricket Foundation introduced a pioneering solution to community engagement—the first-ever Youth Engagement Bus (YEB) in the cricket network. Our vision was simple. To use the YEB as a mobile hub that transforms public spaces into inclusive environments where children and families can play, connect, and grow. The Youth Engagement Bus reimagined how sport can reach people, by transforming a standard transit van into a dynamic, interactive space equipped with TV screens, gaming consoles, VR cricket technology, music decks, and pop-up cricket nets. ‘THE GREATNESS ESTATE’ PILOT PROJECT Working closely with Sevenoaks Borough Council, we delivered ‘The Greatness Estate’ pilot project - a six-week multi-sport summer programme, in partnership with Millwall Community Trust. Over 170 children took part in cricket and football with many engaging with the YEB activities. The aim of the initiative was to keep young people active during the summer, facilitate positive cricket and sport experiences and enable children to connect with new people. Free giveaways and a cricket equipment recycling initiative helped enable continued play as did signposting to local Cricket Clubs (Holmesdale, Sennocke and Sevenoaks Vine). Following the success of the pilot programmes in 2025, KCF is finalising a new programme of work with the YEB at its heart. The ‘No Boundaries’ programme will take cricket into previously inaccessible areas, breaking down barriers to the sport. This forward-thinking approach is creating a sustainable model for community cricket – one that is inclusive, mobile, and deeply rooted in local need. DEMENTIA WALKING CRICKET AND TEA Now in its second year, the Dementia Cricket and Tea event at Hythe Cricket Club brought back many familiar faces, giving us a valuable chance to reconnect with participants and check in with the carers who support them day to day. As activities began, the impact was easy to see: simple movements — a steady catch, a swing of the bat — triggered muscle memory that sparked focus, confidence, and genuine enjoyment for those living with dementia. For carers, watching their partners re engage, even briefly, offered a moment of relief and a reminder of what these shared experiences can unlock. The afternoon reinforced why this event matters: it creates space for connection, support, and small but meaningful moments that resonate long after the day ends. 43% GROWTH IN PARTICIPATION AT HUBS WALKING CRICKET IMPACT 100% IMPROVED MENTAL WELLBEING & SENSE OF BELONGING 88% INCREASED PHYSICAL HEALTH 85% “I FEEL LIKE I’VE ACHIEVED SOMETHING I’M PROUD OF” 95% “THE COACHES MAKE THE SESSIONS FUN AND FRIENDLY” C 85% “I HAD FUN DOING ACTIVITIES ON THE ENGAGEMENT BUS”
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