How Football Is Helping to Tackle Loneliness in Our Communities
Vicarage Road has been the stage for many iconic football moments and legendary players since its opening in 1922.
From Luther Blissett, Watford’s all-time top appearance maker and goal scorer, to Troy Deeney’s unforgettable goal that sent The Hornets to the play-off final at Wembley in 2013, the memories of the team in yellow and red span decades. These moments have become the heart of countless weekend rituals and traditions cherished by generations of Watford fans.
Sadly, as time goes on, some fans will face a dementia diagnosis, which can profoundly affect memory, balance, coordination, speech, and processing, culminating in social withdrawal, isolation and loneliness. However, the power of football can provide comfort, opportunities for socialisation, and help with memory recall.
At Abbots Care we take pride in giving exposure to local charities and initiatives that can improve the lives of our Clients. We have been focussing on tackling loneliness in our communities over the winter period, so it is great to see other local initiatives that are focussed on achieving the same goals.
We interviewed Danny Buckley, senior lecturer at the University of Hertfordshire about The Golden Memories Project, an initiative that aims to support individuals living with dementia by reigniting their past memories, specifically through reminiscence therapy linked to their favourite football club.
The project has yielded significant findings and observations that highlight the positive impact it has had on individuals with dementia, their Care Workers, family and volunteers.
The Partnership with Watford Football Club
The collaboration between the University of Hertfordshire and Watford Football Club began when Watford FC Community Trust expressed an interest in working with individuals living with dementia and raising awareness about dementia in the community.
Danny told me,
“The mayor at the time, Peter Taylor, was really keen to make Watford a dementia-friendly community and one way to do that was to use touchpoints in the local community to spread awareness.”
With a capacity of over 22,000, and with Watford regularly playing Premier League football, Vicarage Road is a source of profound local pride with a rich history and a real sense of community.
With the backing of the Premier League and funding association, the project, known as Golden Memories, was created.
The initiative focused on reminiscence therapy, which involves triggering memories from the past in individuals living with dementia. The programme would take place in the newly built sensory room at Vicarage Road which overlooked the pitch, and aimed to evoke positive memories and encourage participants to reminisce about their connection to the football club. It also incorporated physical activity elements to promote mobility and fall prevention.
The sessions are often aided by club historians bringing in objects of historical significance, artifacts such as trophies and kits, as well as pictures of players and matches gone by that participants may have been in the stadium to witness at the time.
There would also be appearances from club legends such as Luther Blissett, synonymous with wonderful occasions in Watford’s history, including the infamous period that saw Watford promoted from the 4th division to the 1st within five years, and defender Lloyd Doyley who came through the ranks of the Watford academy, going on to make 395 appearances for the club between 2001 and 2015.
Improving Memory and Tackling Loneliness
The easiest observation to make was the effect reminiscence therapy had on memory recall, Danny said:
‘One of the fans would point at a particular seat and say “that’s where my season ticket was” and his Care Worker said “you can’t even remember what you had for breakfast this morning, but you can remember what seat you sat in!” – There was some really interesting moments like that.
When I was collecting data and sitting in the sessions, I would have to reintroduce myself to the participants every time because they didn’t remember me, but when Luther Blisset would come in, it was different, one participant would tell him about a particular header that he scored in the 87th minute of a game 40 or 50 years ago. I think that’s a great example of how powerful memories of football can be.’
But the project’s primary objective was to improve the socialisation and communication skills of individuals with dementia. Loneliness and isolation often come as a result from a dementia diagnosis due to its life-altering symptoms.
Danny called the programme a ‘social initiator’ – putting people with dementia together who have a similar passion and encouraging them to talk about it.
‘For me, that was the biggest outcome of the research, seeing people who might feel isolated coming together and developing new friendships.’
The Role of Carers and Volunteers
The program also recognised the importance of involving Care Workers in the sessions. Separate spaces were provided for Care Workers to take a break and engage with other Care Workers, giving them much-needed respite. They expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to socialise with others and the positive impact it had on their own well-being.
At Abbots Care our Care Workers are more than happy to accompany you to community events and ensure that you can still access social clubs and opportunities. You can read more about how we assist clients to attend social groups here.
Future Implications and Longevity
Danny said that while Golden Memories achieved great results, it was crucial to consider the program’s longevity and continuation.
‘If you just simply take the program away all of the benefits and all of the wonderful stuff is then lost.’
The research revealed the need for post-program support and continuation of socialisation opportunities beyond the initial 12-week program.
Golden Friends, a subsequent program for those who completed Golden Memories, demonstrated the potential for ongoing support and longevity in combatting loneliness.
Wider Application and Funding Challenges
The success of the Golden Memories Project highlights the potential for similar initiatives in other football clubs or community organisations. However, replicating such programs can be challenging due to funding and logistical limitations. Danny said that the Premier League’s financial backing of £250,000 was key to the success of the programme.
Strategic planning and partnerships are required to ensure the delivery of these programs with reduced resources.
A new reminiscence project at Stevenage Football Club, called Boro Bygones, hopes to offer an example of how programs can be adapted to provide socialisation and reminiscence opportunities with limited funding.
Conclusion
The Golden Memories Project has been instrumental in supporting individuals living with dementia, their Care Workers, and the wider community.
By linking reminiscence therapy to football, the program has not only revived memories but also fostered social connections and improved socialisation skills.
The research conducted as part of this project has shed light on the importance of continued support and funding to create sustainable programs that positively impact the lives of those affected by dementia. It is hoped that the findings from this project will inspire the development of similar initiatives in other communities, ensuring that individuals with dementia can connect with one another and have an ongoing relationship with their football club.
The project is free to attend, you can enquire about more information and availability via the Golden Memories webpage.
To find out more about specialist dementia care services through Abbots Care, click here
