A place to meet people, make friends and belong.

I’m Raymond Sensalire Gala, founder of GalaActiveUK. Football has been a huge part of my life and has played a major role in shaping the person I am today. My journey began with Stockport Junior Blues, where I developed my passion for the game and started learning the importance of discipline, commitment, teamwork and believing in yourself. I later progressed to Hyde United FC, before joining the PFA (Pro Football Academy) and continuing my development. At the age of 16, I took the step into men’s football with Stockport Town FC, mainly playing as a striker, while also being able to play in attacking positions including right forward (RF) and other wide attacking roles. Moving into men’s football at a young age was an important stage of my development. It taught me to adapt quickly, compete against older and more experienced players, handle pressure and become more responsible both on and off the pitch. Playing as an attacker also taught me about confidence, movement, decision-making, creativity and taking opportunities when they came. As my journey continued, I was fortunate to have opportunities to progress further, including being invited to Macclesfield FC, which I appreciated as another important experience in my development. I ultimately went on to join Stockport County FC, which became a major milestone in my football journey. My time at Stockport County FC gave me the opportunity to experience an environment built around high standards, professionalism, discipline, competition and teamwork. Being around that level of football pushed me to raise my own standards and understand the importance of preparation, consistency, listening, learning and always looking for ways to improve. Football also taught me that success is rarely achieved on your own. You rely on teammates, coaches, staff and the people around you. You learn how to communicate, accept feedback, deal with setbacks, stay motivated and keep working towards your goals even when things don’t go exactly as planned. Those experiences have had a lasting impact on me. The values I developed through football — discipline, resilience, teamwork, leadership, confidence and perseverance — are values I carry with me today. They are also a major part of why I created GalaActiveUK. A big part of GalaActiveUK is creating opportunities for people to connect, socialise and feel less alone. Loneliness and social isolation are things I hate to see. During my football journey, I saw people come to games on their own because being around others gave them a chance to socialise and stay connected. That stayed with me. I want GalaActiveUK to create more of those opportunities — a place where people can come along, meet others, make friendships, enjoy activities and feel that they belong. GalaActiveUK is about much more than activities. It is about people, connection and community. My goal is to build a community where people feel welcomed, valued, heard and proud to be part of something positive. Connect • Socialise • Enjoy Life • Belong 💙💚 Read my full founder profile.

At GalaActiveUK, our mission is to bring older adults together by creating a welcoming community where friendships grow and no one feels alone. We're committed to tackling loneliness, reducing social isolation and giving people opportunities to socialise, have fun and enjoy life. Through community activities, gentle movement, walking groups, dance sessions, coffee mornings and shared experiences, we help people build confidence, stay connected and feel part of a family where everyone is valued, supported and included.

At GalaActiveUK, we're more than a community, we're a family. We believe no older adult should ever feel lonely or forgotten. From the moment you walk through our doors, you'll be welcomed with warmth, kindness and genuine friendship. We laugh together, support one another and celebrate every moment, big or small. Whether you're joining us for a chat over coffee, a walk, a dance session or simply to be around others, you'll always have a place to belong. Our standard is simple: everyone is treated like family, leaves with a smile and knows they're never alone. At GalaActiveUK, you'll always be welcomed home.