‘It’s Time for England’: Kailash Manor Comes Down with a Case of Football Fever for Care Home Open Week 2026
Football fever was in full force at TLC Kailash Manor Care Home as Care Home Open Week made its yearly return debuting a new and timely FIFA World Cup theme, this year ‘Care is Coming Home!’. Taking place 15–21 June, this year marks 60 years since England’s 1966 FIFA World Cup Final win and that same pride, celebration and community spirit was seen in the activities and festivities organised by the home for residents, relatives, team members and the local community. Attendees took part in the opening ceremony, slipper soccer tournament and closing party that were spread across the week.
Care Home Open Week is a nationwide initiative supported by Championing Social Care, encouraging care homes to open their doors, connect with their communities and showcase the positive impact of social care. There are many misconceptions regarding care homes, how they operate and what the experience living there is like for residents. Care Home Open Week, or CHOW, offers care homes the opportunity to influence and even correct the narrative surrounding the industry whilst also challenging them to create a unique and memorable experience that bridges the gap between the home and the community it is a part of. Care Home Open Week has been running for more than a decade and aims to challenge perceptions of care homes by inviting the public to see first-hand the vibrant communities that exist within them.
As part of the Opening Ceremony celebrations, residents and guests were entertained by local celebrity Bollywood choreographer Jay Kumar who led the home in a lively dance party to test whether attendees ‘match fit’. Team members were recruited to be backup dancers for Mr Kumar stepping into their match positions and giving the crowd a full 90-minute performance. Residents and families waved their England flags and chanted ‘It’s time for England’ to a reworking of the Bollywood classic song ‘It’s time for Disco’ from 2003 movie ‘Kal Ho Naa Ho’.
On Wednesday, residents took part in a high-stakes game of Slipper Soccer. While football boots were exchanged for more comfortable footwear, the competitive spirit was every bit as fierce as that seen on the professional pitch. Players demonstrated impressive teamwork, determination, and plenty of skill, while spectators cheered enthusiastically from the sidelines. Every participant was awarded a gold medal by Anita Kabambe, Business Development Manager and part-time Slipper Soccer referee.
Home Manager Aries Castillo said:
“Care Home Open Week is a brilliant chance for us to welcome people in and celebrate everything that makes our home special. Care work is often viewed as task orientated but I think we demonstrated the spirit of creativity that we bring to everything we do, even daily care tasks can be reimagined to surprise residents and give them a new experience within their regular routine. We enjoyed a whole week of activities, laughter and community spirit, and the residents had a great time.”
Nye Brown, Ambassador for Championing Social Care, said:
“Campaigns like Care Home Open Week help show that social care is about far more than care – it’s about connection, fun and belonging. We’re proud to be part of it.”
