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Residents from Care South’s Sussexdown residential care home in Storrington learnt how to play wheelchair croquet thanks to a lesson from local croquet ace John Coventry

Starting with the basic rules residents from Sussexdown were taught the best croquet techniques in the home’s extensive and beautifully manicured gardens The lesson was made accessible for all as each resident was taught to play seated in wheelchairs After some practice and a lot of balls hit residents joined in with a friendly introductory game Activities assistant Pauline was given the suggestion of wheelchair croquet by her father

Canon Peter Cole Peter enjoys croquet and plays in a wheelchair due to his mobility He recommended his friend and West Chiltington Croquet Club member, John Coventry, teach the residents of the home how to play The activity will now take place weekly at Sussexdown

John Coventry said: “It was a great opportunity to come to Sussexdown and teach something I am so passionate about Croquet is a game that can be enjoyed by anyone and we are thrilled to be coming into the home every Thursday afternoon to take part in some friendly competition

Residents and staff established a new type of accessible croquet so that everyone can get involved It is a wonderful activity that relatives can also join in with when they visit their loved ones