Keeping sport memories alive
A new charity that supports older people with dementia and loneliness is aiming to expand across Rutherglen and Cambuslang.
The Sporting Memories Foundation Scotland (SMFS) is part of Sporting Memories Network Scotland, which runs weekly groups for people with conditions such as dementia.
Using images of sport, articles and memorabilia, older people are assisted to stay connected to their friends and communities.
A weekly group runs at the Harry Heaney Day Care Centre in Rutherglen.
However, Mau r i c e Donohue of SMFS said the charity is recruiting and training volunteers so it can create more groups across the area.
He said: “This is another exciting development in our aims to support older people across Scotland and to connect generations through the power of sport.
“It is crucial we enable more people to be physically active and involved in fun, stimulating interests that help create new friendships.”
“Rutherglen and Cambuslang are areas where we want to develop SMFS activity.”
The charity received £350,000 from the Big Lottery Fund for their projects across Scotland and to recruit new staff and volunteers.
Chris Wilkins of SNFS said: “We see day in, day out how our groups make a real difference to people’s lives.
“We have demonstrated that our weekly groups help improve lives by building confidence, nurturing new friendships and improving wellbeing and this award will help us extend this impact to more older sports fans across the Central Belt.”
For more information contact Liz Price on 07794 793032 or email liz@ sportingmemoriesnetwork. com.