The charity has been founded in Scotland to become the first of its kind dedicated to the development and use of sports reminiscence, inclusive physical activities and intergenerational activities to support isolated older people across the country.

The Sporting Memories Foundation Scotland is the charitable arm of award-winning social enterprise Sporting Memories Network (Scotland) CIC, and it runs 30 weekly Sporting Memories Clubs and 25 other Sporting Memories Groups, that bring together younger generations and isolated older people living with long-term conditions such as dementia through sporting reminiscence and physical activities, with the aim of improving mental and physical well-being, reducing loneliness, and connecting people with social and health networks in the wider community.

A wealth of evidence on ageing well has highlighted the impact remaining connected to friends, family and communities, remaining cognitively stimulated and physically active can have on our health and wellbeing. Sporting Memories groups have proven to help participants, many of whom are living with dementia to do just this. Before joining the weekly groups 84% of participants said they took part in no physical activity, while a recent evaluation showed increased confidence and skills among the younger participants helping facilitate the sessions.

The Sporting Memories Foundation Scotland will raise funds to recruit, train and manage more volunteers to help run clubs and groups and to expand the number of weekly activities available across the country.

Maurice Donohue, Chief Operating Officer 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. We have seen life-changing moments at the groups, the buzz in the room when we bring generations together is quite incredible. We are looking forward to engaging with more schools and youth organisations as we grow.”

The Sporting Memories Foundation Scotland. Registered charity number: SC047268

The Sporting Memories Foundation Scotland SCIO, Kenmure, Main Road, Dirleton, East Lothian, EH39 5EA

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