The Leeds Rhinos Foundation, working in partnership with the Leeds Peer Support Service, provided a special afternoon of Rugby memories for people living with dementia at Headingley Carnegie Stadium last week, as part of a new monthly service.
The Peer Support Service ran by Leeds City Council, was set up with the aim of providing opportunities for people living with dementia and their partners to be involved in their love of rugby, in environments that evoke some of their most treasured memories.
The first session at the stadium on Thursday saw the group sharing their experiences of rugby in the duel-purpose Players Lounge, used as a match preparation room and as post-match press area during the season.
To cap off the memorable afternoon the group then took in the view from the player’s tunnel on the walk down to the pitch, before enjoying the facilities in the Headingley Carnegie Café.
The service which provides support for some former Rugby League players who had played for clubs in Yorkshire and attend some of the sessions, was organised by Peer Support Co-ordinator for Leeds City Council, Deborah Marshall, who explains the significance of having the session at Headingley Carnegie Stadium:
“People living with dementia have shared with us that they can sometimes lose their confidence and find it more difficult to access the things they have previously been involved in and enjoyed, so the service has been put in place with the aim of improving their wellbeing, self-esteem and to increase those very positive opportunities.
“The Leeds Rhinos Foundation and our Peer Support Service really complement each other by drawing on each organisations expertise, bringing together valuable knowledge and skills from the wonderful game of rugby and from dementia support, to create a dementia friendly environment.”
Dan Busfield, partnership manager for the Leeds Rhinos Foundation, who was responsible for facilitating the service at the stadium added:
“The Leeds Rhinos foundation are delighted to form a partnership with Leeds City Council Dementia Services. We are conscious of the role we can play in igniting sporting memories in people living with dementia. As a foundation we feel privileged to be able to contribute towards this area and ultimately bring people together in what may be a lonely period for some individuals.”
For more information on the Leeds City Council’s Peer Support Service visit: http://www.leeds.gov.uk/residents/Pages/Dementia-care.aspx