Three sporting bodies have come together to deliver an innovative age and dementia-friendly activity programme which is supporting people in care homes and community groups across the UK.
The British Gymnastics Foundation, which is the official charity of British Gymnastics, has partnered with English football’s Premier League and the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) to expand the delivery of its ‘Love to Move’ programme.
Announced during Dementia Action Week, the collaboration has seen two initial courses being staged to train representatives from football club community organisations in delivering Love to Move sessions within their existing Memory Club activity.
WELLBEING
Love to Move is a seated gymnastics programme aimed at enhancing the wellbeing and quality of life of older individuals, including those living with dementia, Parkinson's and other impairments, through physical activity and social engagement.
The exercises help to stimulate both sides of the brain, contributing to improvements in participants’ memory, speech, strength, flexibility mobility, cognition and social engagement, empowering individuals to carry out daily activities more independently.
The training has been jointly funded by the Premier League and the PFA, with community schemes linked to clubs across the Premier League and English Football League involved – including Chelsea, Everton, Fulham, Wolves, Cardiff, Preston, QPR, Bolton, Cambridge United, Stockport County and Carlisle United.
Nick Perchard, Director of Community for the Premier League, said: “The Love to Move training has been a great opportunity for football and gymnastics to come together to enhance and develop the skills of staff at football club community organisations, as they look to support those impacted by neurodegenerative disease.”
PROVIDERS
Newly-trained deliverers from the football club community schemes join over 900 trained Love to Move deliverers, with the programme already having reached over 10,000 older people across the UK. This new partnership sits alongside relationships with various care providers, community groups and councils and supports the Foundation’s aim of reaching 30,000 individuals through Love to Move by 2027.
Louise Roberts, Head of Programmes at the British Gymnastics Foundation, explained: “The programme really is changing lives, and we have seen how participants have re-gained skills and everyday living functions that they previously thought lost through dementia. It is so much more than just about exercise – it's about creating a supportive and inclusive community where participants can connect with others, share experiences, and enjoy the benefits of physical activity in a fun and positive environment. It will perfectly complement the existing memory clubs run by football club community schemes, and we can’t wait to see the impact it has.”
Access Love to Move resources.
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