How football sessions help tackle loneliness of people with dementia

Brighton and Hove Albion's charity arm has teamed up with Age UK to help people with dementia to socialise with special football sessions.
Walk Tall FootballWalk Tall Football
Walk Tall Football

Albion in the Community (AITC) runs Walk Tall Football, a specially-adapted walking football session with Dementia Action Alliance at the King Alfred Centre in Hove.

The idea behind the session is to provide people affected by long-term conditions such as dementia with a supportive environment in which to get active and socialise in a safe and effective way.

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More stories: Brighton & Hove Albion fans raise huge £35,000 for charity at Wolves matchUsing football to help youngsters learnMatthew Moors, Dementia Action Alliance co-ordinator, said: “Walk Tall Football targets not only physical health, but mental health too.

“People with dementia can sometimes feel isolated, lonely or anxious about going out. This initiative gives participants the opportunity to get fitter in a relaxed environment, while also socialising and having fun.

“We’ve had great feedback and there’s been a healthy dose of competition on the pitch too.”

Siobhan Meaker, health manager at Albion in the Community, said: “Walk Tall Football is a great way of combining strength and balance exercises with the fun of gentle football competition.

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"We know that living with a long-term degenerative health condition can lead to people feeling excluded and isolated – we’re working in partnership to overcome these barriers and encourage people to feel able again.

“Seeing the group grow in confidence has been a real pleasure and we’d love to welcome new people into our January group.”

Throughout a ten-week long pilot, the session proved popular, with regular attendance from more than a dozen people.

It's not only those with dementia who take part; some are carers, friends, or partners.

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Coaching is provided by AITC and the sessions take place every Monday lunchtime, with a new group set to start in January.

Walk Tall Football is one of a number of health programmes run by AITC which are aimed at supporting people to stay active.

For more information on Walk Tall Football, or any of AITC’s other health programmes, email: [email protected].