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Do you love talking about football and sport in general? Could you share a couple of hours every week supporting former players and older fans living with dementia? 

If the answer is 'yes', then The Sporting Memories Foundation would like to hear from you as they launch a ground-breaking campaign encouraging fans, clubs and players to ‘#JoinTheSquad’ to help tackle dementia. 

Apart from aiming to raise funds, the campaign is looking to recruit volunteers to support the 120 free clubs run by the charity and to open more weekly clubs across the country.

The clubs use the history and heritage of sport to help attendees reminisce, remain physically active and try to reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness which can be accentuated during the winter months when getting out and about can often be that bit harder.

Alan Shearer CBE, said: "The progress made by Sporting Memories Foundation and their partners in supporting former players and older fans living with dementia each week is encouraging to see.

"It remains my belief that football must begin to look after former players living with dementia and put an end to this sense that once you're done with playing, you can be put on the scrapheap. 

"The clubs rely on volunteers and donations. I'd urge any fans to Join the Squad and support their local Sporting Memories session to get involved and to help with fundraising to support the existing sessions and open more of these." 

The Sporting Memories Foundation work in partnership with organisations and community venues, including sports clubs, community hubs, sheltered housing, care homes and hospitals in England, Scotland and Wales to run both Sporting Memories Clubs and one-to-one activities.

If you would like to find out more information about The Sporting Memories Foundation's project then please click on the link here or to make a donation click here.

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