Great sporting moments are being used as the latest weapon to tackle loneliness in Salford
Award-winning group Sporting Memories Network is inviting sports fans over the age of 50, to join them in reminiscing about glorious goals, races, events and memories to beat depression.
Statistics show that over half of over 75s live alone and over 5 million people nationally suffer from depression.
But the new group, launched with support from Salford City Council’s neighbourhoods team and Salford Community Leisure aims to tap into the power of sport to beat it. Not only will they share stories of watching or playing sport, group members will also be able to try out new sports as well as making new friends.
Jason White, Area Project Coordinator for Sporting Memories Network in Greater Manchester said: “Salford has an incredibly rich sporting heritage and a passionate sporting community. Forty five people attended our first event at Salford Lads Club and shared their memories of Salford-related sports. There were some wonderful memories and a lot of fun and laughs too.”
Councillor Paul Longshaw, lead member for housing and neighbourhoods, said Salford City Council was delighted to support the group.
“Loneliness has the same negative effect on people’s health as drinking too much alcohol and smoking 15 cigarettes a day. We’re always looking for innovative ways to help people improve their health and this is a great idea. People can feel so much better by getting out of the house, enjoy fantastic spaces, places and neighbourhoods in our city, plus make new friends and have a go at new sports. Sporting memories is a neat way for people to come together, to have fun.”
Nick Thompson, Strategic Development Manager at Salford Community Leisure, added: “There is a wealth of evidence that to age well we need to stay connected to our friends and communities, keep our brains stimulated and remain as physically active as we can. I hope this new group proves successful.”
The free Sporting Memories Network group will meet at Ordsall Neighbourhood Centre, 2 Robert Hall Street, Salford, M5 3LT every Wednesday from 1pm to .3.30m. It’s the sixth group in Greater Manchester with more planned in the coming months.
For more information please contact Jason White on 07514 698879 or email Jason.white@sportingmemoriesnetwork.com
