A chat with Sporting Memories Scotland
Sporting Memories Scotland is a charity and social enterprise that helps older people to reminisce, replay and reconnect through the power of sport and inclusive physical activity. Read on for Tom’s story and how Sporting memories has supported him.
If you would like us to share your story, please email ithrive@health-in-mind.org.uk.
Launched in 2011, we support a wide range of people aged 50-plus, including those living with dementia, living with depression or facing isolation and loneliness to improve their mental and physical wellbeing through our regular club sessions, situated within local communities across Scotland.
What we do
We are dedicated to bringing older people together with the aim of making a positive difference in their lives by providing them with a welcoming, supportive and structured environment where they can develop confidence to improve their lives for the better.
For everyone involved with Sporting Memories Scotland, ranging from our Club members, volunteers and staff, mental wellbeing is an important aspect of our work. Providing an inclusive, welcoming environment we encourage all in attendance to contribute to sessions, whether it be the sporting conversations or the fun and inclusive activities, in the hope of developing confidence within attendees that aids social interaction and mental wellbeing.
Tom’s Story (85) – Sporting Memories providing a weekly lifeline
After discovering Sporting Memories from his hospital bed, Tom joined his club along with his friend who encouraged him to come along. Tom’s wife had passed away some years ago and he found himself living alone with few social connections left.
This is what Sporting Memories means to Tom.
“The club has become such a huge part of my life and it’s so important for elderly people to have groups like this.
For a person of my age, it’s a really good thing and it’s important that people know the club is here. I live on my own after my wife passed away 10 years ago and loneliness is such a horrible thing.
Some people can go out and mix easily but I don’t so coming to the club and making it part of my weekly routine has been brilliant.
The social aspect of it is vital and the guys who run the club are tremendous.”
Find out more
Looking for your local Sporting Memories club?
Sporting Memories Scotland has over 40 in-person and digital clubs operating currently with plans to open further clubs into 2025 and beyond. We have two clubs in Midlothian – Gorebridge Leisure Centre and Dalkeith Rugby Club – visit www.sportingmemories.uk/clubs to find out more detail.
If you would like to find out more about volunteering at one of our clubs, email contact@sportingmemories.uk
If you are interested in working with Sporting Memories to set up a club or provide Sporting Memories resources to an existing group please email, contact@sportingmemories.uk To find out more about their work, visit the website at www.sportingmemories.uk or follow them on social media via X on @SMN_Scotland.