Everton in the Community and Mersey Care NHS Trust have launched an innovative new programme to support people with dementia.
The Blues’ official charity and Mersey Care have developed a unique initiative, known as Pass on the Memories, for patients with memory loss.
The weekly scheme uses a range of interventions, including sporting reminiscence workshops, custom-made life story memory books and calendars, day trips to local places of interest and social activities, to help people to share important memories and create new ones.
One particular tool used in the sessions is an audio CD containing interviews and stories from past Everton players, including Dixie Dean and Graeme Sharp.
Everton in the Community and Mersey Care are supporting Liverpool PCT and Liverpool City Council’s Year of Dementia Awareness campaign, which aims to develop an understanding and awareness of Dementia and work towards creating Dementia friendly environments in work places, public areas and communities, with Pass on the Memories being just one initiative to help achieve these goals.
Everton hope that other clubs will follow its lead and a similar programme is already being developed for North Sefton residents to be hosted at Southport Football Club.
The Sporting Memories Network was instrumental in helping to develop the sporting reminiscence resources and expertise that are utilised in the Pass on the Memories dementia programme, following their pioneering work in Scotland.
For more information about Pass on the Memories, call 0151 530 5253.
