Free sporting memories classes on offer thanks to Broxburn partnership

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Broxburn Athletic FC have teamed up with Broxburn United Sports Club to offer free attendance to the club’s Sporting Memories classes.The charity and social enterprise was launched in 2010 with the Broxburn club being formed last year.They help older people to reminisce and reconnect through the power of sport and support a wide range of people aged 50 and over who are living with dementia, depression or facing social isolation and loneliness, with the aim of making a positive difference to their lives.Sporting Memories Partnership Manager Donna Mackey told the Courier: “We support older people who are socially isolated or have long-term health conditions and use sport to get them out the house and along to their local clubs.“Sport is such an emotive and passionate thing for people.

Folk come along with so many memories and stories that they share.“It allows us to engage people who are maybe a bit disengaged from their community.“The cameraderie that builds up in these classes is brilliant and it can often be the only couple of hours they maybe have in a social environment.

They make friendships and enjoy themselves and that’s so important.”She added: “We make sure there’s a physical element too.“We have 20-25 minutes where they play games like boccia so it’s not just coming in and having a chat over a cup of tea and a biscuit, although that aspect is hugely important as well.”One member who regularly attends is Tom Crookston, who journeys in from West Calder to Albyn Park every Wednesday for 10am.The 84-year-old spoke about how vital the club has been to him since he first joined, and urged others to join.He said: “It’s now become such a huge part of my life and it’s such an important thing for the elderly to have