MEMORIES RUGBY FOOTBALL
An exciting new venture is aimed at improving the lives of people with Dementia who were followers of Rugby. It is based on the pioneering work of Alzheimer Scotland’s Football Memories project and hopefully will be up and running before too long.

The existing Football Memories project helps people with dementia by reviving memories of players, matches, goals and incidents from football matches in their younger days. A joint project between Alzheimer Scotland and the Scottish Football Museum at Hampden Park, it has attracted almost unprecedented levels of interest and involvement from fans and players alike. The website www.footballmemories.org.uk has seen contributions of stories from footballers, rock stars, film actors, journalists, politicians and ordinary supporters all across the country.

To date nearly 70 Football Memories groups have been established across Scotland, from the Shetland Isles in the north to Stranraer in the south, where men with dementia and other memory problems gather to enjoy looking back at old photos and memorabilia. Their recall of matches and incidents is spectacular. Details of scores, scorers and even moves leading to goals are recalled, and the banter and humour is incredible.

For many people, Football is not their main sporting interest and the Alzheimer Scotland team explored the idea of setting up Rugby Memories and Shinty Memories. Initial discussions with the respective national bodies were very positive and a detailed planning phase began.

There is every chance that the images of Rugby will produce similar reactions in the groups. Images kept in scrapbooks and albums can be shared and downloaded for use in sessions. Several former players could be involved in the groups and their stories will add a new dimension to the sessions.

Many players and supporters can be helped to create Rugby Memory Books, illustrating their own careers and experiences. The production of Rugby Legends Cards is one aim, and it is hoped to have a set of 60 cards covering the period from 1945 to 1985 in the first instance.

The project is based on volunteer involvement and the Alzheimer Scotland team will train local Rugby volunteers to deliver sessions in their own communities. The people using the current Football service meet in Day Centres, Community Halls and in Care Homes and Hospitals.


Several Rugby clubs have been very supportive of the plan and we are grateful for their support to get the project to the starting line. Memories Rugby Club has the potential to help many people and everyone involved is fully committed to achieving the same success as the Football Memories project has.

A website is under construction and a Facebook page and a Twitter feed has been established under the heading of Memories Rugby Club. It is hoped that the people who take part in the groups will enjoy being part of a Rugby community again which shares the excitement, pleasure and heritage of the game.


Twitter:@memoriesrfc

Facebook: Memories Rugby Football Club

This article was originally posted on 11-Sep-2013, 13:17 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 11-Sep-2013, 14:38.