Founded in 2011, Sporting Memories Network Community Interest Company (CIC) ran an initial pilot project with fifteen care homes in Leeds, to test and refine their approach.
The project tested the effectiveness of training care staff and sought to engage relatives, volunteers, and more able residents in facilitating group activities.
In his evaluation report, Dr Clark wrote: "The Sporting Memories work is appealing to people (staff and residents) and draws out enthusiasm and personal information that would otherwise have been dormant".
[1] The network also works with professional sports clubs by raising awareness of dementia through scheduled league matches which are designated Memories Games.
This aspect of the Sporting Memories Network's work was acknowledged in the first annual report on the progress of the Prime Minister's challenge on dementia[2] and their work with Everton Football Club[3] was published as an example of best practice in the Alzheimer's Society 2013 report on Creating Dementia-Friendly Communities[4] The majority of the group activities utilize reminiscence therapy which is widely recognized as having a beneficial effect on people living with dementia, memory problems or depression.
As identified in a study by Tolson et al. (2012), the use of football as a subject may be more attractive to older men living with dementia than traditional topics covered in reminiscence sessions or group activities.
The network has gained the support of current and former sports stars including: David Coulthard, Ross Brawn and Nico Rosberg from Formula One; and footballers Robbie Savage, Chris Kamara and Nigel Martyn.
The gentlemen spoke of their experiences in the group, their own health issues, and the impact the group has had on them.Link It also featured on the lunchtime interview on Test Match Special, alongside former South African cricketer Mike Procter, during the second day of the first test match England v India on 10 July 2014 – Link Awards On 20 May 2014, Sporting Memories Network CIC was presented the award for "Best National Dementia Friendly Initiative" by Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt.