Tea & Tennis Programme:
M’s Story
Launched in September 2025, the Tea & Tennis Programme was created to support grandparents in the local community who unexpectedly find themselves as primary carers for their grandchildren. Research shows that many grandparents in this situation living on lower incomes will experience long-term health challenges and often face social isolation. This programme aims to provide meaningful support that boosts confidence, enhances wellbeing, and helps participants live healthier, more connected lives.
In its first year, the Tea & Tennis Programme is generously funded through a grant from the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), enabling us to establish the pilot and reach families who need this support most.
Our charity partner, Solidarity Sports, identified a group of grandparents who had recently taken on caring responsibilities. Solidarity Sports is a West London children’s charity providing person centred support to disadvantaged children and young people aged 5–17 who are living with or recovering from complex trauma. Their insight and trusted relationships within the community enabled us to reach those who would benefit most from the programme.
M is a grandmother who took on full responsibility for raising her two young grandchildren after their parents abandoned them. Despite her existing health issues, she travelled from Yemen to the UK to ensure the children were safe and cared for.
M and her grandchildren were accommodated in an asylum seekers’ hotel, sharing a very small room. Each person receives £8 per week to cover all expenses, and the family has no recourse to public funds. With support from an asylum seekers’ organisation, M successfully enrolled the children in school and was referred to Solidarity Sports for support during school holidays.
Due to severe financial constraints, M spent most days confined to the hotel room in order to save money for her grandchildren’s school trips and essential costs. Language and cultural barriers contributed to extreme social isolation and low mood. Over time, her physical health deteriorated: she walked very slowly, relied on a walking stick, and frequently needed to stop and rest due to breathlessness.
M’s situation began to improve after joining Solidarity Sports’ Grandparents’ Rock group. Although initially hesitant, she began attending sessions with the support of a translator. Participation in the Tea and Tennis project has had a significant and measurable impact on her health and well-being.
Over six months, M made steady and meaningful progress across many aspects of her wellbeing. Her mobility improved significantly, moving from always relying on a walking stick to walking independently during sessions. Her stamina also grew, enabling her to take part in full 45–60 minute tennis sessions without frequent rest breaks - something she couldn’t manage at the start. M’s physical activity levels increased from minimal daily movement to taking part in moderate activity at least once a week, and she regularly attended the weekly sessions with growing enthusiasm. Alongside the physical changes, she experienced noticeable improvements in her mood, confidence, and motivation, and reported feeling far less isolated. Her social connections developed too. M has formed friendships within the group and engaged more actively in conversation despite language barriers. A highlight for the whole group was when M brought in delicious home-made baked goods from her Yemeni culture - an act of warmth, generosity, and belonging that reflected her growing confidence and sense of inclusion. She also became increasingly independent, now travelling to and from sessions without support.
This progress has been made possible not only through the supportive coaching environment but also thanks to a committed cohort of 16 volunteers from the Club, with 2 volunteers attending each session. These wonderful volunteers have embraced the programme wholeheartedly, with one sharing ‘I just wanted to say how worthwhile I think this initiative is - for everyone. The ladies were all wonderful, funny, smart people who are incredibly appreciative of this opportunity. I found the experience quite humbling, but had a great time in their company, and am glad I am due to meet them again. Thanks for making it happen’.
M reports feeling more relaxed, hopeful, and physically capable. The combination of gentle tennis activity and a supportive, inclusive environment has enabled her to rebuild both physical strength and emotional resilience, directly improving her quality of life and her ability to care for her grandchildren.
These positive changes have not only been observed by M herself but have also been clearly recognised by those supporting her through the programme. As one team member from Solidarity Sports described:
‘The transformation in M since joining the Tea and Tennis weekly group has been truly heart-warming to witness. What began as slow, carefully supported walks and actions has grown into confident, joyful participation alongside her peers. Beyond the physical progress, her positivity, confidence, and sense of belonging have flourished, and Tea and Tennis has become the highlight of her week. I have personally seen the profound and life-affirming impact this programme has had on M, and this experience is mirrored across the entire cohort. For many participants, tennis has been genuinely transformative and offered connection, purpose and joy. Tea and Tennis has become a cherished weekly moment that brings anticipation, energy, and lasting positive change into the grandparents' lives.’
