Wednesday 11th March 2020
DUMBARTON may not be lifting the Scottish Cup this season, but our fans can get their picture taken with it on Saturday as part of a special launch event between DFC and the Football Memories project.
Sons director Dr Neil Mackay has been busy creating a partnership between the club and the initiative, which helps football fans suffering from dementia.
The Every Voice Community Choir will perform in Bar 72 before the match against Falkirk this Saturday from 2.15pm.
And for a donation, supporters can have their picture taken with the Scottish Cup.
Neil explained: “I’ve had a few meetings with George Mackay and Laura Sutherland who run the local Football Memories group, which meets weekly at Dumbarton library, and their members are excited now to be affiliated to Dumbarton Football Club.
“Although their meetings usually centre on the topic of the beautiful game, no subject is off limits and, from my observations when I have joined them, the chat is lively, warm and humorous.
“Murdo MacLeod recently attended one of their meetings, chatting with the group, reminiscing and answering their questions.
“The club will maintain its relationship with the group and to provide community tickets to enable their members and carers to attend our home matches.
“Additionally, I felt that there was an opportunity to extend this partnership to involve the patients in the Fruin Ward of the Vale of Leven Hospital and a recent taster session, led by George and Laura, was well-received.”
Morven Cowie, manager of the Fruin Ward, said: “We’re really delighted to be part of this new initiative which gives people affected by dementia the opportunity to chat and reminisce about football and, in fact, any subject that interests them.
“The patients and staff really enjoyed George and Laura’s recent first visit to the Fruin Ward and we’re looking forward to having them back.
“The patients clearly found it stimulating and some spoke about it for hours after they had left. Working with Football Memories and Dumbarton Football Club in the future is going to be hugely beneficial and it’ll be a wonderful addition to the range of activities which we offer.”
Football Memories started as a pilot project in 2009, established by the Scottish Football Museum and the Scottish Football Heritage Network. Alzheimer Scotland and Glasgow Caledonian University also became involved before Alzheimer Scotland took over the running of the Reminisce Project, assisted by the museum.
Neil added: “The club, recognising its role at the heart of the community, is privileged to have developed a close partnership with Football Memories, an organisation of dedicated people who give generously of their time, using their experience and skills to support and to enrich the lives of those who are affected by dementia.
“In addition to the weekly local meetings currently held in Dumbarton Library, there has been a successful pilot of an interactive session for patients in the Fruin Ward of the Vale of Leven Hospital.
“We at Dumbarton Football Club welcome this opportunity to help people to maintain an involvement in football where this might otherwise have proved to be very challenging for them and their families and carers.”
Andy Galloway