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  1. Our Clubs
  2. About our Clubs

About our Clubs

At Sporting Memories Clubs, people aged over 50 get together to talk about and remember all things sport – in person or over the internet.

We meet once a week or once a fortnight at venues such as sports centres, libraries or sports clubs. Unfortunately all our Clubs are suspended due to COVID-19, but we continue to run Clubs online.

To find out whether there is an online Club near you, visit our Club Finder page.

Below we have answered some frequently asked questions about Sporting Memories Clubs. If you would like to find out more, please get in touch by completing our contact form, or using the direct contact details on our Club Finder pages.

Do you care for someone? If you are wondering whether a Sporting Memories Club might be beneficial for both you and someone you care for, visit our Information for carers page. We hope to be able to welcome you along soon!

Who are Sporting Memories Clubs for?

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Sporting Memories Clubs are for anyone over the age of 50 who enjoys talking about and remembering sport. Everyone is welcome to attend, including our online Clubs. Some – but not all – of our members are living with dementia or low mood, or are isolated; others simply enjoy the opportunity to meet other people.

Published: 28th April, 2020

Updated: 30th September, 2020

Author: John Dyer

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Do I have to be referred to a Club?

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No, you don't have to be referred. You can simply get in touch with us, using our contact form or using the details on our Club Finder pages. If you prefer, someone else can get in touch on your behalf.

Published: 27th April, 2020

Updated: 7th May, 2020

Author: John Dyer

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Do I have to have had a diagnosis?

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Some people who join in our sessions have been referred by, for example, their GP, or are living with conditions such as dementia or low mood, or are isolated. However, all older sports fans are welcome! Many of our members simply enjoy the opportunity to meet people, enjoy good companionship, talk about the subject they love and do some gentle exercise.

Published: 26th April, 2020

Updated: 30th September, 2020

Author: Helen Johnston

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Does it cost anything to attend?

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Our Clubs are free of charge. Occasionally there may be a small charge for something extra, like hot food or an outing.

Published: 25th April, 2020

Updated: 7th May, 2020

Author: John Dyer

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What happens at a Sporting Memories Club?

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About 15 people attend each Club session and each session lasts for between 1 and 2 hours, depending on the Club. We also offer online sessions – which follow a similar format – and we are able to offer advice on how to join our online groups.

Sessions often start with a Club song. At every session we use our Sporting Pink publication as a starting point for that week’s sporting conversations. We often have quizzes and competitions. We share and talk about items of sporting memorabilia. We also usually do some gentle exercises, even when we are online!

And when we meet we may play physical games such as New Age Kurling and Boccia. We always have a tea break!

Published: 23rd April, 2020

Updated: 30th September, 2020

Author: John Dyer

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Do I have to know a lot about every sport?

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Although many of our Club members have a favourite sport, era or club, you don't need to know a lot about a particular sport. Everyone at our Clubs enjoys simply talking about and remembering sport in general.

Published: 22nd April, 2020

Updated: 7th May, 2020

Author: John Dyer

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Does it matter if I can’t come every week?

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We would love everyone to attend every week, as we enjoy everyone's company! But there will never be any pressure to do so. We understand that there can be lots of reasons why it may not always be possible to come along.

Published: 21st April, 2020

Updated: 7th May, 2020

Author: John Dyer

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Do you provide drinks and snacks?

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When we are able to meet in person, yes. We always have a break for tea, coffee, cold drinks and biscuits. Sometimes even cake!

Unfortunately we can't provide quite the same service when we meet online! But many of us put the kettle on before the start and we enjoy a cuppa together.

Published: 20th April, 2020

Updated: 30th September, 2020

Author: John Dyer

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Are your venues accessible?

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Yes. All our venues are fully accessible and where possible are close to public transport links.

Published: 19th April, 2020

Updated: 7th May, 2020

Author: John Dyer

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Are Sporting Memories Clubs dementia friendly?

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Yes. All our sessions (whether they are online or we are meeting in person) take into account that some members may be living with dementia and our sessions are designed to be enjoyable and rewarding for those members living with dementia. We have dementia friendly resources. Our volunteers and session facilitators have received Dementia Friends and Sporting Memories training.

Published: 18th April, 2020

Updated: 30th September, 2020

Author: John Dyer

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Who leads the Clubs and are they trained and checked?

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Our Clubs (including our online Clubs) are led by experienced Session Facilitators, who may be Sporting Memories staff or volunteers. Our staff and volunteers who are delivering sessions take part in Sporting Memories training and ongoing development and review. All our staff and volunteers undergo PVG (Scotland) or DBS (England and Wales) disclosure checks for working with vulnerable groups.

Published: 17th April, 2020

Updated: 3rd October, 2020

Author: John Dyer

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What sort of exercises do you do, and do I have to join in?

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At every session (including our online sessions!) we try to incorporate a relatively short period of gentle physical games or exercise. This will always be tailored so that you may do as much or as little as you like. It will always be your choice as to whether you join in – but we hope you do!

Published: 16th April, 2020

Updated: 30th September, 2020

Author: John Dyer

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Do you have information about safeguarding?

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The Sporting Memories Foundation is committed to ensuring that the vulnerable groups who use our services and our staff and volunteers are protected because there are effective procedures in place. We also aim to ensure that no staff member, or existing or prospective volunteer, is discriminated against, that our recruitment and selection practices are fair, and that they comply with current legislation and best practice.

The Sporting Memories Foundation will undertake to:

  • Require all relevant personnel engaged in the delivery of Sporting Memories Clubs, whether paid staff, volunteers or prospective volunteers, be registered with the relevant authorities. In England and Wales, all individuals will be required to register and have a check through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS); in Scotland all individuals must become members of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme. 
  • Maintain an up-to-date list of designated staff for each region who will be available to advise and assist with applications where necessary. 
  • Comply with the guidance issued by the DBS checking service provider and Disclosure Scotland in dealing with applications for the DBS /PVG Scheme in your home country.
  • Ensure that the information obtained from the issuing authority will be stored securely.
  • Be responsible for providing any guidance (or training) regarding safeguarding vulnerable adults for staff or volunteers. 
  • Where individuals are paid staff or volunteers under the management of one our delivery partner organisations, we will require the evidence of the relevant check and suitability of named individuals to deliver in any of our SMF clubs.

Published: 14th April, 2020

Updated: 31st May, 2020

Author: Helen Johnston

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The Sporting Memories Foundation is a registered charity in England and Wales (Charity Number 1154474) 
The Sporting Memories Foundation Scotland is a registered charity in Scotland (SC047268)
Sporting Memories Network CIC is a Community Interest Company registered in England (07811301)
Sporting Memories Network Scotland CIC is a Community Interest Company registered in Scotland (SC409470)