Footballers from Launton Ladies visited residents and team members at Langford View care home to present a framed football shirt for their 2024/25 and 2025/26 seasons. The care home in Bicester is sponsoring the local team as part of a partnership to promote intergenerational connections between the two organisations.

Claire Finn, who coaches the team, visited the home with footballers Lizzie, Naomi, and Pippa to discuss the importance of women’s sport and how it helps build confidence and empowerment. 

Langford View’s Activities Co-ordinator, Terri, shared her experience of playing for Fulham Ladies’ youth team as a teenager. She said: “I was thrilled to join the Fulham Ladies’ youth team. It was a place that took women’s football seriously, unlike school, which at that time prioritised football for boys.”

Hilary, a resident at Langford View since 2020, joined the discussion. She listened with interest as personal experiences were shared, including Lizzie’s account of being one of the first female medallists at international level in the natural luge, a winter sport where athletes race down an icy track on a small sled while lying on their backs. Lizzie had taken the opportunity to try the sport earlier in her RAF career.

Claire said: “We are delighted that OSJCT Langford View is supporting our football club. Enabling sport for women promotes confidence, teamwork, and resilience, helping them take more opportunities and reach for their dreams. More and more, I see women achieving career and personal highlights that would have been unheard of in recent decades.”

Farida Ait-Tales, Home Manager at Langford View, added: “This was a very uplifting conversation. It made me reflect on working in care, where I’ve seen women take opportunities to progress in their careers.

“We are making some exciting plans for this new partnership with Launton Ladies, including a football charity day in the summer—a wonderful opportunity for our residents, team members, and friends of Langford View to participate in some friendly sporting challenges.”

Residents shared their thoughts on opportunities for women and the significance of International Women’s Day.

Caroline said: “Isn’t it nice that there’s a day to celebrate what women do? That we’re talking about women’s contributions to the world?

“I hope we keep moving in the right direction and that education remains open to everyone. I hope women continue to be recognised for the good they do and for how they can be an asset in big job roles.”

Nancy (Nan) added: “I think it’s good to get people talking and recognising all the great things women do. Women have far more career opportunities now than when I was younger.

“Back then, it was more common for women to be seen as homemakers, and many didn’t go into work. It’s nice that women can now build careers for themselves. I hope it stays this way for future generations.”

Photo caption: Back row, L-r Activities Co-ordinator, Terri, footballers, Pippa and Naomi, Home Manager, Farida, Admin Assistant, Emma, front, footballer, Lizzie, resident at Langford View, Hilary, and Coach Claire with a framed Launton Ladies football shirt.