News

The challenges of the pandemic has seen Sporting Memories – like so many charities ­– forced to adapt to continue supporting its participants.

With the suspension of its community Clubs for older adults and the added isolation this has brought to many, a new campaign, #TalkAboutSport, has been launched.

#TalkAboutSport carries the message that talking about sport with someone we know who may be feeling lonely can bring health, wellbeing and social benefits.

Sporting Memories is the world’s first charity dedicated to using sports-based reminiscence – along with social and physical activities. Through the power of remembering and talking about sport, the charity tackles social isolation and low mood among older adults. For people living with dementia, it helps to build cognitive resilience. And for everyone ­who comes along, friendships and companionship flourished.

Its members and volunteers are getting involved in the campaign too, among them football fans extraordinaire Phyllis Archibald and Marilyn Smale, who have recently appeared on national sports radio.

Phyllis and Marilyn, both members, have each appeared in the new Sporting Memories series, which airs every Saturday and Sunday at 12.30pm on talkSPORT radio, on the Warm-Up with Max Rushden and Charlie Baker. Not only is each episode an engaging and emotional listen, but importantly they demonstrate the benefits of picking up the phone and talking about sport.

Phyllis, aged 90, is possibly the oldest women to have talked about football on radio. A lifelong Motherwell fan, she recalls their first Scottish Cup win in 1952…and their next, in 1991. She also looks back to taking a penalty kick at Hampden - and scoring!

Marilyn first saw Exeter City play during the 1940s, at the age of 12. She has been attending home matches ever since and has fond memories of partying with the players. She remembers her stand-out players over the years and gives her opinion on today’s style of play. As for her Sporting Memories Club: ‘It’s the thing of our lives.’

#TalkAboutSport: How we can all get involved

Sporting Memories Co-founder Chris Wilkins says: “Now that so many of us are isolated from our loved ones and friends, we have been encouraging as many people as possible to talk about sport. To engage by whatever means they can with their family and friends of all ages, spark lively conversations and bring to the fore all those positive memories.

“We have produced a set of resources that anyone can use. Some of these are already used in our Clubs, others arebrand new.

“Of course there are challenges: many of those we work with have limited options to access activities online. However, this is where we hope a wider #TalkAboutSport message can help.

“By highlighting that sport is a wonderful way of sparking conversation and by providing guidance and resources to go alongside this, people are finding ways to engage. We are providing a taste of what happens at our Clubs and suggest how to bring this into the home and over the telephone.”

Speaking in her capacity as CEO of Tongue Tied Productions, Women in Football board member Jo Tongue added: "At a time when radio is a lifeline and sports nostalgia is a comfort for many, we are thrilled to receive Audio Content funding for this special series. As long-time supporters and admirers of the Sporting Memories Foundation, Tongue Tied Productions is delighted to be helping participants share their football stories with a wider audience, while together we all help tackle the wider issue of dementia, loneliness and isolation.”

Click on the link here tune in to Sporting Memories Weekly or sign up to a new, free digital version of the Sporting Pink – a weekly nostalgia publication produced by the organisation to help spark sporting conversations with older people.
 
Maybe you would rather take a look at  a short film with tips on how and when to use reminiscence over the telephone or watch an ongoing series of short films, ‘Sporting Memories in 100 Objects’, in which contributors including BBC5Live’s Eleanor Oldroyd and former professional referee (and Sporting Memories volunteer!) George Cumming, talk about a favourite piece of sporting memorabilia.

About Sporting Memories

We’re Sporting Memories. We are the world’s first charity dedicated to using sports-based reminiscence, social activities and physical activity to enhance the well-being of older adults and tackle social isolation.

Since 2011, older adults who are isolated, or living with dementia, low mood or other long-term conditions, have found fun, friendship and increased well-being through our Sporting Memories Clubs.

At over 120 Sporting Memories Clubs across Scotland, Wales and England, positive memories are re-ignited and companionship flourishes. Our supportive, welcoming and structured sessions are proven to help build cognitive resilience for those living with dementia. Mental and physical well-being increases, too.

Carers of those who attend Sporting Memories Clubs are just as important to us as our Club participants. While carers are welcome to stay at our sessions, they often tell us they enjoy the opportunity to go out for a coffee, shop, socialise with friends or share stories with each other.

Our Sporting Memories staff teams and dedicated volunteers have played a key role in the development and creation of our dynamic response to the Covid-19 outbreak, week to week and as we look to future evolution.

Further information is also available on our website: www.sportingmemoriesnetwork.com 

Share this article