The Dragons Community have partnered with Centerprise International to drive forward our Sporting Memories Wales initiative, using the power of sport to engage with people living with dementia, depression or are socially isolated.
Sporting Memories Wales work with communities and organisations to promote the mental and physical wellbeing of people over 50.
Weekly volunteer-led clubs take place at stadiums, clubs, care-centres, community centres and libraries, using archive images of sport, memorabilia and news reports to trigger fond memories of playing or watching sport.
As well as reminiscing about sport and allowing group members to tell their stories through sporting memories, the clubs include exercise and the playing of accessible sports to increase physical activity levels of beneficiaries.
New friendships are formed with members gaining confidence to meet new friends and make meaningful connections not just within the clubs but in the wider community too.
If you are interested in attending contact Karen Burgess via email karen.burgess@dragonsrfc.wales
Sporting Memories are the world’s first charity dedicated to sports reminiscence and physical activities. The charity supports older people living in England and Wales with dementia, depression and loneliness by engaging in social activities and helping them to recall memories of watching or playing sport. By sharing memories of sporting moments and tapping into a passion for sport, Sporting Memories help people to connect with others and with their past, reawakening positive thoughts and feelings that otherwise remain hidden away. For more information visit www.sportingmemoriesnetwork.com
BRINGING A WHOLE NEW WORLD OF HAPPINESS TO SPORTING MEMORIES
Dragons RFC has recently brought a bit of magic to Sporting Memories participants by rolling out a new interactive light projector as part of sessions.
Provided in partnership with Social-Ability and designed and manufactured in the UK, the Happiness Programme uses interactive games to connect people with each other, and research shows it improves the wellbeing of people living with dementia and other cognitive challenges.
Using interactive light projections, the Happiness Programme, which can be played independently or in a group, stimulates movement by inviting participants to take part in all sorts of different fun activities such as popping bubbles, playing the piano, colouring in pictures, sweeping leaves or interacting playfully with fish. Games are rich in colour, movement and detail, and allow people of all ages to play in a safe and comfortable environment.
The Happiness Programme is portable so it can be used wherever those using it feel most comfortable. It can be projected onto the floor, ceiling, walls, a whiteboard, and allows for a range of games that change seasonally covering 14 different categories, so there will always be something new to try.
Dragons RFC are delighted to partner with Social-Ability, a leading health care technology service provider whose mission is to make society happier, and see the development of a number of rugby and Dragon specific interactive games.
You can find out more about Social-Ability by visiting their website HERE
