Alzheimer Society of Ireland and Donegal GAA Host Sporting Memories Event
The Alzheimer Society of Ireland and Donegal GAA are hosting a Sporting Memories event in Donegal.
The Alzheimer Society of Ireland (The ASI), in partnership with the Donegal GAA Health & Wellbeing Committee, has released details of the first Sporting Memories Event in Donegal on Saturday 24th June.
Sporting Memories is a free event and takes place from 2pm to 4pm at the Mount Errigal Hotel, Letterkenny.
Sporting Memories is an awareness and support program about remembering and talking about sport to improve health and well-being, especially for people with dementia. This program aims to combat dementia, depression and loneliness through safe, friendly sessions led by people with a passion for sports and a desire to help people with dementia and their caregivers engage in their communities .
ASI encourages people of all ages, including those with dementia, to attend and remember some of the county’s greatest sporting moments. Nearly 2,500 people live with dementia in Donegal.
Key stakeholders in this project include the Donegal GAA Health & Wellbeing Committee (Donegal County Council), The HSE CHO1, Donegal Sports Partnership, Slainte Care Donegal, members of the Donegal Dementia Stream, Community Health Nurses and the extended ASI service team in Donegal.
Cathryn O’Leary, National Community Engagement Manager at ASI, said: “Sport plays a big part in so many people’s lives. Whether a person played sport in their youth or later in life, was a member of a local club, or watched and listened to games and competitions, sport creates a sense of identity and a set of memories that can last a lifetime.
“We encourage as many as possible, especially those living with dementia and their families, to come along and enjoy this opportunity to relive the great GAA moments of the past, meet former stars and enjoy being a part again.” to be part of the GAA community.” ”
Sporting Memories brings people together to remember their lives through the medium of sport. It uses images, videos and other tools to evoke memories and encourage social engagement.”
Special guests include Brian McEniff, Anthony Molloy and Declan Bonner, all of whom featured in the historic 1992 All-Ireland win.
Emer Gallagher of the Donegal GAA Ladies Team and well-known TG4 GAA analyst/expert has also kindly agreed to attend.
Some other great GAA players from yesterday will be in attendance to show their support and remember great GAA sports days.
Game schedules, photos, jerseys and other memorabilia will be on display to evoke memories of GAA events and games of yesteryear.
Donegal GAA Health & Wellbeing Committee Chair Cora Harvey said: “On behalf of the Donegal GAA Health & Wellbeing Committee, we are delighted to partner with the Alzheimer Society of Ireland in hosting Sporting Memories. From the beginning, the committee has embraced this concept and values those in our communities who are aging or living with dementia.
Sporting Memories is a unique event where we strive to create memories for those who have had some form of involvement in Gaelic Games. It is our hope that by holding the first event as a county event, clubs in Donegal will be able to host their own sporting memories in their own communities using our template.
It is important that we remember and, more importantly, that we help those who cannot remember. I encourage you to come by and think of a neighbor or friend you could bring who might benefit from this event,” said Ms Harvey.
ASI staff provide information about the support and services available to people with dementia, their carers and family members.
Through the use of sporting cues, it is possible to stimulate memory, improve members’ communication and social skills, and create a sense of belonging within a local community. Sporting Memories groups typically focus on the age group for whom sport has been an important form of recreation and social activity.
Please contact Charlie McGinley, (087-1887932) [email protected], Cathryn O’Leary (085-8566478) [email protected]), Kevin Mills (087-2170806) [email protected] or Cora Harvey at chair.hwc.donegal@gaa . ie for more information.
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Posted Jun 8, 2023 4:04pm
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