RESIDENTS at a care home in east Hull have been presented with a special boccia kit after training for seven months.

Elderly people at Berkeley House care home in Bilton Grange have been working with Sportsability.

In June they joined the training programme organised by Hull City Council to prepare for the East Yorkshire Care Home Games.

The sessions continued after the event in July and have proved popular.

Sally Withill, of Berkeley House, said: “Boccia has been a great way to help residents establish new friendships and they have enjoyed some friendly rivalry.

“Those who started training in June have come back every week.

“Boccia improves mobility and dexterity and boosts self- esteem.”

Boccia can be played by individuals, pairs, or teams of three.

The aim is to throw leather balls, which are slightly larger than a tennis ball, as close as possible to a white target ball called the jack.

Adam Rhodes, of Sportsability, said: “Now with their own boccia set they can continue to play and more people will join in.”

via Care home residents can continue to enjoy boccia | This is Hull and East Riding.