We are undefeatable
Find out how we are supporting the ‘We Are Undefeatable’ campaign.
Get active through table tennis
Table Tennis England are proud to support We Are Undefeatable, the national campaign aiming to inspire and support people with long term health conditions to build physical activity into their lives, in a way that their condition allows – have a little knock with a friend on difficult days, or smash it on your good days!
The campaign is inspired by, and features, the real-life experiences of people with long term health conditions, such as depression, dementia, arthiritis, heart disease or type 2 diabetes, getting active in a way they works for them, despite the ups, downs and unpredictability of their condition. People with one or more health condition are twice as likely to be inactive than those without. At present 44.8% of people with health conditions are considered ‘active’.
When you’re managing a long-term health condition, being active is about finding what works for you. Table Tennis England is on a mission to bring ping pong to the people and with variety of a health benefits associated with playing and the accessibility of the game, Table Tennis is perfect for someone managing a long term health condition, you can win points while taking it easy on your joints.
Led by 15 of the major health and social care charities (Richmond Group of Chairities), We Are Undefeatable is backed by expertise, insight and significant National Lottery funding from Sport England.
Here are a few ways on how to you can get active through table tennis wherever you are:
You can find our table tennis tables in unexpected places on the streets of towns and cities all over England; to join in the fun, simply head for a table and play…it’s absolutely free! There’s loads of other ways you can play table tennis socially; just pop your postcode into our table finder map here.
Ping Pong Parlours are ‘pop-up’ spaces (usually empty shop units), filled with table tennis tables to provide a fun, accessible venue for passers-by to play ping pong for free as well as creating a buzz in shopping centres and the high street.
Table Tennis packages designed to help you bring the members of your community closer together and inspire them to lead more active and sociable lifestyles, irrespective of ability, background or long-term condition.
As your confidence and ability grows with the sport, you may want to find a more competitive place to play? We work with table tennis clubs & leagues across the country to ensure they provide an inclusive and welcoming environment. Table Tennis England also provide guidance to clubs on how to create inclusive sessions for people who may require additional support. You can find your nearest club and contact details here.
Don’t take our word for it…
Meet some of the people and organisations picking up a bat and ball and beating their own long-term conditions in a way that works for their lifestyle:
Age UK – Men in Sheds
Men in Sheds in an Age UK project run in Barnsley, aiming to reduce social isolation and loneliness amongst older men.
Philip Batchelor – Parkinson’s
Parkinson’s patient 76 year old Philip Batchelor stands in his kitchen, struggles with what was once a simple task for him – making a cup of coffee. “My balance, my agility, my sense of timing, all of these things no longer function in the way I was accustomed to.” However, moments later, holding a table tennis bat, Philip is transformed and a sense of his old, active self – returns.
Gordon’s Story – Brain injury & mental health
Gordon has had two brain operations and struggled with his recovery. He’s been a regular at the Bat & Chat sessions that are held at Four Seasons Ping Pong Parlour in Mansfield, and says how table tennis has brought back hope into his life and given him a reason to get up in the morning.
Keith’s Story – Dementia
Keith is gripped with Alzheimer’s disease and often gets confused and panicky. But when he plays table tennis he’s taken back to when he was a younger man and his anxieties disappear.