For Matthew, who is supported in our complex residential nursing services in Cambridgeshire, attending a live Tottenham Hotspur match was far more than a day out — it was a chance to reconnect with a passion that has been part of his life for many years.
“Matthew is a huge Tottenham supporter,” explains Owen, Registered Manager. “Since his injury in 2016, he hasn’t been able to attend a match, and that also meant he’d never seen their new stadium. Because Matthew has short‑term memory loss, he asks almost daily about going to see Tottenham play, so being able to make this happen was really important to him.”
From the moment the journey began, the day felt special. “Matthew loved every part of it — it was a proper adventure,” Owen says. “We drove down to North London listening to 90s and early‑2000s rap, which he sang along to the whole way.”
Travelling by train added to the excitement. “On the Overground, other Tottenham fans were shaking Matthew’s hand and chatting to him about the score,” Owen recalls. “The shared love of football really brought people together.”
Arriving at the stadium was a standout moment. “Matthew was amazed by the size of it and wanted lots of photos so he could remember the day,” says Owen. “We had time to look around, enjoyed a non‑alcoholic beer and a sausage roll, and then settled in for the match.”
Support from stadium staff made the experience comfortable and accessible throughout. “Everyone was incredibly helpful,” Owen explains. “They guided us to the accessible facilities and made sure Matthew had a clear, uninterrupted view of the pitch.”
Once the match kicked off, Matthew was fully immersed. “He was waving his Tottenham flag and cheering his team on,” Owen says. “Even on the way home, he was still full of energy — laughing when station staff called us VIPs and were ready to help us on and off the train.”
Careful planning played a big role in making the day run smoothly. “We had already hired a minibus for the People We Support Forum, so we started thinking about how else we could use it,” Owen explains. “When we saw Tottenham were playing Brighton at home, we spoke to Matthew’s uncle, Mark, who helped arrange tickets and check the disabled facilities.”
Every detail was considered. “We planned the route carefully, choosing stations that made access easy,” Owen says. “On the day, we made sure everything we needed fitted into one backpack — and because of that planning, the journey itself was really straightforward.”
Matthew’s reaction to the stadium atmosphere was powerful. “He was overwhelmed in the best way,” Owen reflects. “The scale of the place, the view of the pitch, the accessibility — it all really impressed him, and he wanted photos everywhere.”
Although the match ended in a 2–2 draw, the experience mattered far more than the result. “Matthew was a little disappointed, but the day itself completely outweighed that,” Owen says. “And he was pleased Tottenham didn’t lose.”
While Matthew may not remember every detail now, the impact of the day remains. “He has photos and the programme to look back on,” Owen explains. “We believe some part of the experience stays with him, and it’s opened the door to doing something like this again in the future.”
Teamwork was key throughout the day. “It was just me and Andrei supporting Matthew, and we both knew our roles,” Owen says. “We work well together and always focus on making sure Matthew feels supported and enjoys the experience.”
Reflecting on the trip, Sara, Divisional Director for East England, highlighted why moments like this matter so much. “Experiences like Matthew’s show the importance of truly person‑centred care,” Sara says. “Supporting people to follow their passions and enjoy meaningful moments is just as important as meeting clinical or physical needs. This is a brilliant example of teams going the extra mile to support the whole person.”
For Owen, the day reinforced what good support looks like. “It’s about caring for the whole person, not just focusing on disabilities,” he says. “Sometimes experiences like this mean more than anything else — because they’re about what matters to the individual.”
A huge well done to Owen, Andrei, and everyone involved for the planning, teamwork and dedication that made this special day possible. It’s a fantastic example of person‑centred support in action.
