Innovative Leeds projects celebrating sporting heritage assisting the older population living in care

Sporting Memories Network (SMN) is working with care homes across Leeds to test out an innovative approach to reminiscence therapy, which will look back at the city’s rich sporting heritage.

The SMN will train care home staff, volunteers, relatives and able residents to plan and deliver sports-based reminiscence activities, using local and national archive images, reports and memorabilia. These activities will help older residents to recall their favourite sporting memories and to tell their own stories. By tapping into their love of sport, the well-being, self esteem and socialisation of residents will be promoted. The project has been funded by the Skills for Care Workforce Development Innovation Fund and includes a robust evaluation of the work.

Leeds supporters
In the project, which has the support of Leeds City Council, NHS Airedale, Bradford and Leeds and Leeds Care Association, images are central to the project, and we are delighted to have received pledges of assistance in the work from Leeds United Foundation, Leeds Rugby Foundation, Yorkshire Cricket Foundation and Harewood Hillclimb along with West Yorkshire Archive Services.

Memories of local sports stars past and present
Current stars and coaches, as well as legendary names from the past from Leeds United, Leeds Rhinos, Leeds Carnegie and Yorkshire County Cricket Club, have shared their own favourite sporting memories in support of the project. All sports fans in the Leeds area are encouraged to share their own special sports memories on the SMN ‘Replay’ websites during the project. Each memory submitted will then be available for use by the care homes in their activities with residents.

Replay Leeds Legends
As part of the project, all the homes will be involved in helping to compile a unique set of images which can then be used for sessions with any older Leeds sports fans, with a set of SMN ‘Replay’ Cards featuring some of the greats from the City across all sports. The public will be asked to nominate and vote on their favourite legends of sport in Leeds, culminating in a special set of 50 reminiscence cards being presented to the participating homes.

Sports Annual Amnesty
Have you a sports annual that has sat on your bookshelf unopened or in a box in your loft for years? If so, we appeal to fans to hand them in to one of the participating care homes for them to use with their residents in the project. The homes participating in the project are listed below:

The Green – Seacroft
The Hollies – Garforth
Springfield Care Home – Garforth
Willowbank – Barwick Road
The Cedars – Methley
Middlecross – Armley
Reivaulx House Meridian Care – Armley
Aire View – Kirkstall
Headingley Hall – Headingley
Donisthorpe Hall – Shadwell
Oak Tree Lodge – Gipton
Berkeley Court – Leeds
Siegen Manor – Morley
Pennington Court – Beeston
Sunnyview House – Beeston Rd
Corinthian Care – Upper Wortley

“We are excited at the prospect of working with the staff and residents of care homes in a city which has such a vibrant sporting heritage. I’m sure there will be some fascinating memories that emerge from the sessions. Our focus will be on supporting the homes to implement stimulating activities which improve or maintain residents well-being.”
Tony Jameson-Allen, Founding Director Sporting Memories Network

For further information on this exciting project please click here

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