A top Scottish university has announced that some of the biggest football clubs in the country are joining them in a project which is aimed at helping those suffering from dementia. Hearts, Hibernian, Motherwell and Celtic have all teamed up with the Caledonian University in Glasgow in its latest stage of the long running research project it has been doing on the condition.
The clubs will be offering both those suffering from dementia, and their carers, the opportunity to visit the grounds and have a chat about the beautiful game in a serious of informal and relaxed coffee mornings. For those who like football but don’t follow a particular team, there is a chance to visit Hampden, the home of the Scottish national team.
This initiative has come about after those doing the research at the university discovered that using football to trigger the minds of those suffering from dementia resulted in startling and positive results. Experts had discovered previously that showing items of football memorabilia to men with dementia had stimulated their memories in quite a remarkable manner.
Charlie Bennett, from Motherwell FC, has said that Motherwell have always made an effort to engage with their community at all different levels, and strive to bring benefits to others wherever they could. He added that some of their former players suffered from Alzheimer’s, so they had first hand knowledge of how the condition affected both the sufferers and their families.
The team hopes that by letting sufferers and their carers access the facilities at their ground, Fir Park, they are creating an environment to stimulate their minds. The trophies and memorabilia that are on display in the lounges could have a profound effect and jog memories, thus bringing relief to their carers.