Real stories

Working together for vital community dementia support through football

The Developing Dementia Initiative workshop allowed football clubs and leading organisations to share their expertise, experiences and learn from each other to improve their community dementia support initiatives, and support future development and research in this important area.

The workshop brought together Alzheimer’s Society, Dementia UK, and Dr Marie Poole, Senior Research Associate (Newcastle University) and National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Dementia Research Fellow, hosted by the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) North East and North Cumbria. 

Why football organisations are supporting people with dementia

Football clubs and their associated charitable foundations are a cornerstone of our local communities. Whilst connecting with younger people through football has often been prioritised – there is growing recognition of the importance football has to people living with dementia and their families. 

The bond and love people have for their club lasts a lifetime. As such, clubs and foundations are recognising the need to support older people in the community, of which a significant proportion will be affected by dementia – either as someone with a diagnosis - or family or friends who support someone with the condition. 

The statistics are stark; there are an estimated 982,000 people living with dementia in the UK and 1 in 3 of us will be diagnosed with the condition in our lifetime. 

Although dementia can affect younger people, it particularly affects older people. This highlights the hundreds of thousands of people in the UK who need specialist support to manage dementia, both now and in the future.

Alzheimer’s Society’s ‘Sport United Against Dementia’ campaign emphasises the role sport can play for people with dementia. Sport themed community initiatives can positively influence cognition, maintenance of identity, and quality of life, while helping to raise awareness of dementia and reducing stigma. 

Additionally, dementia support embedded in football is one way to reach out to people who might not usually look for help. This includes supporting former professionals or fans who have a lifelong connection to their local club and our national sport. 

One way the campaign does this is by raising awareness of early signs and symptoms of dementia by promoting Alzheimer's Society's 'Dementia symptoms checklist' that people can fill out.

How football organisations are supporting people living with dementia 

Several clubs showcased their initiatives which clearly demonstrated the benefits for people living with dementia. This includes the ability to tap into treasured memories, support feelings of belonging and wellbeing and promote physical health for all. 

Initiatives such as the well-established Golden Memories at Watford FC Community Trust which is funded by the Premier League and PFA; and recently formed Albion Memories supported by former professional and Brighton & Hove Albion Foundation’s Guy Butters demonstrated their inclusive and innovative approaches to support people living with dementia to live well. 

This diverse range of support included in-person events at foundations and football stadia and online resources which can reach out to former professionals and fans across the globe. 

Guy Butters shared his views on attending the event:

“It was amazing to meet and discuss with other football clubs the good work they do in running their dementia initiatives and likewise to share what we do at Brighton. The memories club is such a special programme for the Brighton and Hove Albion Foundation, allowing fans, members of the community and former players all to come together to discuss their collective memories from over the decades. 

"It is incredible to see the twinkle in their eye and the spark in their soul when they connect over the game we all truly love. And if we can give, just for that short time once a month, a small piece of connection and happiness for their dementia journey, then we have succeeded”. 

In support of former professionals facing issues relating to their brain health and dementia, the PFA promoted their Brain Health initiative. The Football Brain Health Fund, an initial £1m investment, provides financial assistance for former players (and their carers) who need support. 

This support includes family support services and specialist dementia support through virtual clinics run in conjunction with Dementia UK and their Consultant Admiral Nurse for Sport and Dementia.

Consultant Admiral Nurse Consultant Admiral Nurse role for Sport and Dementia, Joe Costello commented:

“I was delighted to attend and participate in the Premier League’s Dementia Initiative workshop in partnership with the English Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA). 

"I presented on the PFA Admiral Nurse clinic model. I shared knowledge with the clubs and foundations with some insights into the lives of former professional footballers under and over sixty-five living with neurodegenerative diseases and how their families and those close to them are impacted by different types of dementia. 

"I spoke about the importance of collaboration, the need to work together to ensure all groups of people facing dementia have access to dementia support and an opportunity to access the clinical advice and specialist support from an Admiral Nurse when they need it the most."

Together we can achieve so much more, offering a range of support, advice, specialist skills and knowledge to support people attending various programmes and activities to receive the most appropriate person-centred support at the right time, tailored around the needs of people affected by dementia.

Moving forward with football dementia support initiatives 

The workshop supported future collaboration and enabled learning more about dementia and the skills needed to support people well through the Alzheimer’s Society; how to signpost people to access dementia support through Dementia UK, and practical insights from an dementia programme - the British Gymnastics Love to Move programme. 

The workshop also provided a space to reflect on current community dementia initiatives and offered an evidence-based approach to evaluate and improve. The common goal of working together to improve dementia support through football was clear. 

Alzheimer’s Society Strategic Change Programme Manager, Matt Hughes Short, said:

“I was proud to lend my expertise to the delivery of this workshop. Through Alzheimer’s Society’s dementia accessible sport projects, we have developed resources supporting clubs to consider best practice delivery of their initiatives. Continued involvement of people with dementia is a reminder that good programming must always be person-centred and tailored to the audience.

“Great sport should be unforgettable and workshops like this, which bring together leading organisations to share best practice, expertise and create a shared vision, are fundamental in developing and implementing leading support mechanisms for fans affected by dementia in the football community.

It is only by working together, under a shared vision, that we can begin to keep fans affected by dementia connected to the football community and end the devastation caused by the condition. We look forward to continuing this vital work with our sporting partners.  

Next steps include continuing to work collaboratively, thinking about future developments and building on the success of the Dementia Initiatives Workshop. Nick Perchard, Community Director at the Premier League said:

“We were pleased to work with the PFA to host this event which gave us the opportunity to further explore our understanding of dementia and the work we can do to support the football community. 

"The Premier League partners with Alzheimer’s Society on their Sport United Against Dementia campaign and has funded the first ‘Dementia Friendly Sports Clubs and Venue Guide’ and training for Premier League Club staff.

"Through our Community Fund in partnership with the PFA and the Premier League Fans Fund we have been able to provide opportunities for those with a neurodegenerative conditions, and their carers, to come together to enjoy a range of activities.”