Salford City teammates Adrian Mariappa and Curtis Tilt recently made a surprise visit to a weekly dementia support group meeting led by the club’s affiliated charity Foundation 92 and Age UK.
The Ammies’ Center-back partners made an unexpected appearance and joined in with the 10-strong group playing cards over a brew.
For Salford City’s Curtis Tilt, the work done by Foundation 92’s dementia support group is especially meaningful.
Tilt highlighted that: “It’s a great thing what they’re doing here. My Grandad had dementia, he didn’t have access to anything like this, I wish he did as it keeps the group interacting with other people, it keeps them communicating.”
Foundation 92’s health and wellbeing manager Siobhan McGarel helped to lead the session, she explained that: “It’s about getting together and having a laugh.
“Every Thursday from 1–3pm we are at the stadium, we do activities that work on motor skills so the first hour always involves physical activity. In the second hour, we work with Age UK, we might have quizzes, play dominoes or cards, anything to have a bit of fun.”
Nearly a million people in the UK live with dementia. The NHS recommend regular physical and social activity to help promote the cognitive performance of those with the disease.
I spoke to Joan, who has consistently attended the sessions for over a year now, she originally joined the group with her husband who had dementia before he passed away.
Joan noted: “One or two of us have lost our partners but we still keep coming because we enjoyed it.”
The weekly meeting acts as a constant for all involved and is something to look forward to.
“It’s been a new venture, the sessions have given me a lot socially and physically- It’s been good for the soul.”
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it and I wish more people would come, with spring on the way we’re going to have more of an opportunity to get out, I really think people would enjoy it.”
Whilst a dementia diagnosis can be devastating, support groups work to provide great help, keeping people physically and mentally stimulated.
The Foundation 92-led dementia support group sessions take place at 1–3pm every Thursday at the Peninsula Stadium. A link to the charity’s website can be found here.
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