Golfing and football memories help to boost mental health

Recollections of happy times on the golf course are being used in Perthshire to help older people with dementia issues.

A golf memories taster session will be held at Blairgowrie Golf Club from 2pm to 3pm on Wednesday September 27.

The project provides a forum for older people to meet, have a chat about their golfing days and also revive their skills on the driving range and the putting green, with support from professional Charles Dernie and trained volunteers.

Run by Perth and Kinross Council and Alzheimer Scotland, the scheme already meets weekly at Noah’s Ark Centre in Perth with support from the local authority’s golf course officer Niall McGill.

It has been found that discussions with older people about favourite sports or hobbies can spark memories and discussions about the past.

This boosts mental health and also provides valuable social interaction and exercise. It is hoped that more sessions can be arranged at Blairgowrie in the near future.

For more information about attending the sessions there or in Perth contact David McPhee on 01738 476782.

A football memories project also operates in partnership with St Johnstone’s Community Trust.

Sessions are held regularly at McDiarmid Park and in Blairgowrie and there are plans to roll-out to other areas. Participants work with trained volunteers to select teams of their favourite players from bygone eras and discuss their memories of the game.

For information, contact Dave Black at St Johnstone Community Trust on 01738 459095.