The Dragons Community team have teamed up with Sporting Memories Wales to use the power of sport to engage local people living with dementia, depression or are socially isolated.
Sporting Memories Wales work with communities and organisations to promote the mental and physical wellbeing of people over 50.
Weekly volunteer-led clubs take place at stadiums, clubs, care-centres, community centres and libraries, using archive images of sport, memorabilia and news reports to trigger fond memories of playing or watching sport.
As well as reminiscing about sport and allowing group members to tell their stories through sporting memories, the clubs include exercise and the playing of accessible sports to increase physical activity levels of beneficiaries.
New friendships are formed with members gaining confidence to meet new friends and make meaningful connections not just within the clubs but in the wider community too.
The Dragons Community team – in association with County in the Community – are now launching a new weekly club at Rodney Parade.
The first session is on Thursday, February 27 between 10am and 12noon and then every Thursday after.
Gareth Sullivan, Inclusion Coordinator at Dragons Rugby, said: ”We are absolutely delighted to work Sporting Memories Wales and in association with County in the Community to launch the new club.
“We understand how the power of sport can reconnect and reignite isolated older people and look forward to launching the new club for people across Newport.”
Clubs consist of the ‘first half’ being sporting reminiscence and cognitively stimulating games supported by memorabilia and resources such as Replay cards, quizzes and the weekly Sporting Pink defined by the participant’s sporting interests and preferences. These therapeutic activities can help trigger affirming memories to reinforce identity, connect people and improve personal confidence and mental well-being.
The ’second half’ of the weekly club will facilitate physical activity with a range of activities and sports including table tennis, boccia, bowls, darts, new age kurling. The physical activity will be a gradual introduction to support older people slowly increasing physical activity levels from a starting point of being inactive.
Sporting Memories Wales are launching two new weekly clubs in Newport. The second is at Rascal Hope Centre on Tuesday, March 3 between 10.30am and 12.30pm.
If you are interested in attending the club at Rodney Parade call Gareth on 07887242409 or email gareth.sullivan@dragonsrugby.wales
You can also contact the local coordinator via email nikki.foster@thesmf.co.uk or telephone 07515916305.
Sporting Memories are the world’s first charity dedicated to sports reminiscence and physical activities. The charity supports older people living in England and Wales with dementia, depression and loneliness by engaging in social activities and helping them to recall memories of watching or playing sport. By sharing memories of sporting moments and tapping into a passion for sport, Sporting Memories help people to connect with others and with their past, reawakening positive thoughts and feelings that otherwise remain hidden away.
For more information visit www.sportingmemoriesnetwork.com
We understand how the power of sport can reconnect and reignite isolated older people and look forward to launching the new club for people across Newport...
