Sporting Memories Network CIC is a UK registered social enterprise that runs community-wide sports reminiscence projects. These projects (provided by the "Sporting Memories Network CIC") introduce the use of archival sports images, reports, and memorabilia. It works in conjunction with a registered charity – The Sporting Memories Foundation that trains and supports volunteers to deliver sports reminiscence in England and Wales.

Startup

Founded in 2011, Sporting Memories Network Community Interest Company (CIC) ran an initial pilot project with fifteen care homes in

Leeds Leeds () is a city and the administrative centre of the City of Leeds district in West Yorkshire, England. It is built around the River Aire and is in the eastern foothills of the Pennines. It is also the third-largest settlement (by popula ...

, to test and refine their approach. The project, funded by Skills for Care, was evaluated by Dr Michael Clark, Research Programme Manager, Personal Social Services Research Unit,

London School of Economics The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is a public university, public research university located in London, England and a constituent college of the federal University of London. Founded in 1895 by Fabian Society members Sidn ...

. The project tested the effectiveness of training care staff and sought to engage relatives,

volunteers Volunteering is a voluntary act of an individual or group freely giving time and labor for community service. Many volunteers are specifically trained in the areas they work, such as medicine, education, or emergency rescue. Others serve ...

, and more able residents in facilitating group activities. After receiving background training, each home was supplied with archival images and a training manual. They also received a weekly sports reminiscence newspaper called ''The Sporting Pink.'' In his evaluation report, Dr Clark wrote: "The Sporting Memories work is appealing to people (staff and residents) and draws out enthusiasm and personal information that would otherwise have been dormant". Enthusiasm for an idea is important if it is to be widely used and effective. Training people in approaches that they do not believe in means that either the intervention will not be used, or will be used unenthusiastically. Consequently, it is unlikely to benefit anyone. By tapping into widespread enthusiasm for, and connections with, sports, "Sporting Memories" can be inspirational both to care home staff and to residents. In addition, the training can be readily passed on, and used in a flexible, creative and sustainable manner. The materials can be used many times and adapted to the interests of residents over time. Those who had experienced it reported that they would continue to use the work in their homes. The network also works with professional sports clubs by raising awareness of dementia through scheduled league matches which are designated Memories Games. This aspect of the Sporting Memories Network's work was acknowledged in the first annual report on the progress of the Prime Minister's challenge on dementia and their work with Everton Football Club was published as an example of best practice in the

Alzheimer's Society Alzheimer's Society is a United Kingdom care and research charity for people with dementia and their carers. It operates in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, while its sister charitieAlzheimer Scotlandand Alzheimer's Society of Ireland cover ...

2013 report on Creating Dementia-Friendly Communities The majority of the group activities utilize

reminiscence therapy Reminiscence therapy is used to counsel and support older people, and is an intervention technique with brain-injured patients and those who appear to have "Alzheimer's and other forms of cognitive disease." A 2018 AARP article about a standalone ...

which is widely recognized as having a beneficial effect on people living with

dementia Dementia is a disorder which manifests as a set of related symptoms, which usually surfaces when the brain is damaged by injury or disease. The symptoms involve progressive impairments in memory, thinking, and behavior, which negatively affe ...

memory problems Amnesia is a deficit in memory caused by brain damage or disease,Gazzaniga, M., Ivry, R., & Mangun, G. (2009) Cognitive Neuroscience: The biology of the mind. New York: W.W. Norton & Company. but it can also be caused temporarily by the use o ...

or depression. As identified in a study by Tolson et al. (2012), the use of football as a subject may be more attractive to older men living with dementia than traditional topics covered in reminiscence sessions or group activities. In the Journal of Dementia Care, North Berwick Day Centre manager Carol Wicker reported: "A lot of men attend our day center and most of the staff and volunteers here are women. We try to find ways of engaging with men but it can be difficult to interact meaningfully and get to know people." The Sporting Memories Network has developed activities around many different sports, including Football, Cricket, Rugby, Golf, Tennis, and Motorsport. There are community projects run by the network in England, Wales, and Scotland which are volunteer-led.

Premier League The Premier League (legal name: The Football Association Premier League Limited) is the highest level of the men's English football league system. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the English Fo ...

, Football League, Super League, and County Cricket Clubs are involved in hosting and running some of the groups. Other venues include libraries, museums, social clubs, and pubs. The network has gained the support of current and former sports stars including:

David Coulthard David Marshall Coulthard (; born 27 March 1971) is a British former racing driver from Scotland, later turned presenter, commentator and journalist. Nicknamed 'DC', he competed in 15 seasons of Formula One between and , taking 13 Grand Prix vi ...

, Ross Brawn and

Nico Rosberg Nico Erik Rosberg (born 27 June 1985) is a German-Finnish former professional racing driver. He competed in Formula One from 2006 to 2016, winning the World Drivers' Championship in with Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport. The only child of Fi ...

from

Formula One Formula One (also known as Formula 1 or F1) is the highest class of international racing for open-wheel single-seater formula racing cars sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The World Drivers' Championship, ...

; and footballers

Robbie Savage Robert William Savage (born 18 October 1974) is a Welsh former professional footballer who played as a midfielder, now a football pundit and director of football at club Macclesfield. During his career he played predominantly as a midfielder, ...

Chris Kamara Christopher Kamara (born 25 December 1957) is an English former professional football player and manager who worked as a presenter and football analyst at Sky Sports from 1992 to 2022. As a player, he was known as a tough-tackling midfielder. H ...

and

Nigel Martyn Antony Nigel Martyn (born 11 August 1966) is an English football coach and former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He notably played in the Premier League for Crystal Palace, Leeds United and Everton, having initially playe ...

. Sporting bodies, such as the

Professional Footballers' Association The Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) is the trade union for professional association footballers in England and Wales. Founded in 1907, it is the world's oldest professional sport trade union, and has over 5,000 members. The aims of ...

, and the

British Racing Drivers' Club The British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC) is an exclusive invitation-only members club for racecar drivers who are judged to have achieved success in the upper levels of motor sport for a number of seasons. Except under exceptional circumstances, me ...

, are also supporting the work. Each supporter has appeared on the network's website and shared their own favourite memories contributing to the 'memory bank' on the company's Replay Websites. In turn, these are used by group facilitators. On 3 June 2014, the use of sporting memories was featured by BBC Radio 4 All in the Mind. Presented by

Claudia Hammond Claudia Anne Hammond (born 23 May 1971) is a British author, TV presenter, and frequent radio presenter on the BBC World Service and BBC Radio 4. Early life Hammond was born in the market town of Biggleswade in Bedfordshire on 23 May 1971, a ...

, the programme interviewed gentlemen participating in a weekly sporting memories group in East Lothian. The gentlemen spoke of their experiences in the group, their own health issues, and the impact the group has had on the
Link
It also featured on the lunchtime interview on

Test Match Special ''Test Match Special'' (also known as ''TMS'') is a British sports radio programme, originally, as its name implies, dealing exclusively with Test cricket matches, but currently covering any professional cricket. It broadcasts on BBC Radio 4 LW ...

, alongside former South African cricketer

Mike Procter Michael John Procter (born 15 September 1946) is a South African former cricketer. A fast bowler and hard hitting batsman, he proved himself a colossal competitor in English first class cricket. He was denied the international stage by South Af ...

, during the second day of the first test match England v India on 10 July 2014 �
Link
Awards On 20 May 2014, Sporting Memories Network CIC was presented the award for "Best National Dementia Friendly Initiative" by Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt. On 7 September 2014, Sporting Memories Network CIC appeared in the list o
Britain's Top 50 New Radicals
The list was compiled by Nesta and ''The Observer'' newspaper and featured organisations or individuals using innovative approaches to tackle social challenges. On 6 November 2014, Sporting Memories Network CIC was voted "Best Football Community Scheme" at th
Football Business Awards
The shortlist consisted of Football Community Trusts from the following football clubs: Charlton Athletic, Chelsea Football Club, Crystal Palace, Everton, Fulham FC, Liverpool FC, Sunderland AFC, West Bromwich Albion, and Sporting Memories Network CIC

Memory Games

Sporting Memories Network has raised awareness of dementia at a number of professional football league, premier league, and super league clubs
Memories games
to unite fans who share their own favourite memories of supporting their club. The games engage current and former players and club staff in the build-up to the games. These are usually scheduled league matches. Information about dementia and memory problems is made available to fans through various channels. The first memory game to raise awareness of

took place at Huddersfield Town. Memories games have taken place at: * Huddersfield Town v Derby County-15 September 2012 Football League Championship * Huddersfield Giants v Bradford Bulls- 3 March 2013 Super League * Everton v Stoke City- 30 March 2013 Premiership * Warrington Wolves v Hull FC- 17 May 2013 * Grimsby Town v Kidderminster Harriers- 19 December 2013 * Bristol City v Preston North End- 5 April 2014 * Bristol Rugby v London Welsh- 18 April 2014 * Gloucestershire County Cricket Club v Middlesex- 23 May 2014 * Warrington Wolves v Leeds Rhinos- 30 May 2014 * MCC v Hertfordshire- 22 June 2014 *Match played to mark the 200th Anniversary of Lord's Cricket Ground * Gloucestershire County Cricket Club v Surrey- 18 July 2014 * Salford City v Class of 92- 7 August 2014 * England v India One day International- 25 August 2014 * York City Knights v London Skolars- 7 September 2014 * Wigan Athletic v Fulham- 1 November 2014

References

{{reflist

Startup

Memory Games

References

Further reading