“I’ve been involved with Rugby Memories for
around four or five years now. Before the organisation
started I had been working with my very close friend
David Shedden who played on the wing for Scotland
20 odd times. Davey eventually went down with
Alzheimers and I used to go and spend time with
him whenever I could talking about old times.
“People with Alzheimers tend to be fairly quiet
people because I think they’re a little frightened that
they’re not talking sense. But once they start talking
and seeing images from the past they really light up
and it’s an absolutely amazing thing to see. I found it
a real eye opener to see how good their memory is
going back.
“David does well but there are some days when he
is just not on the ball – he’s a terrific man. We had
an open day for volunteers and people came down
from all around to attend which gave people like me
a chance to chat with people that had been working
with Alzheimers for years. That was of great benefit
to me.
“The organisation has been building well and
the growing reputation we enjoy is allowing us to
expand the good work that we’re doing. It’s alive and
it’s moving. The great thing is it’s going in the right
direction and I just hope that they can make sure that
we do everything we can to help prevent Alzheimers.
“Back in my day, if you got concussion you just got
a wet cold sponge on the back of the neck and were
told to go back on. No one realised how dangerous it
was. We’ve moved on from there now and the game
has changed. Michael White as well as a few other
guys deserve a mention because they do a fantastic
job and long may it continue. It’s terrific the work they
carry out on a day to day basis.”
Sandy Carmichael, Representative of Rugby
Memories and capped 50 times for Scotland
to those provided by the central team. An extensive archive of
past finals, teams, medals, grounds and players is available to
members. Local archives relating to aspects of social and cultural
history are also used to help recall.
On Saturday 6 June, a match between the veterans of Caberfeidh
(Strathpeffer) and The Rest of the World raised over £2,000 for
Shinty Memories
Cricket Memories relies on a combination of experiences as a
spectator as well as direct memories of playing in local teams.
The central team produces images of Test and County Cricket,
featuring the major cricket nations, and the local cricket club
produces images from the club’s own historical archives.
Golf Memories aids recall of famous international golfers and
features images from the major tournaments in world golf. The
use of club memorabilia and pictures will aid recall for those who
were once players. The Golf Memories initiative includes the “Golf
Buddy” system, which enables a player to keep on playing with
assistance to complete the course or specific holes.
Carnoustie have designed a modified short course for players
who are living with dementia, and the assistant professional is an
active volunteer in the group there.
All of the projects have been endorsed by the relevant governing
body for their respective sport in Scotland, and there are ambitious
plans to form Sports Heritage Scotland. This group would share
expertise, digitise resources and make sports-specific resources
available to those involved in the reminiscence work.
Each of the five sports involved has an ambassador as well as
supporters and they include several former international players
and senior figures in their sport. The partnerships between
Alzheimer Scotland and the respective sports governing bodies
has been an integral part of the success of the work being
undertaken. Some of the results have been amazing and many
family members have seen at first hand just how beneficial these
sessions can be.
Further details from
Project Manager: Michael White 07906 239582
e-mail: [email protected]
www.alzscot.org/ASRN
www.sportip.biz
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