Aberdonians are being urged to dust off sporting keepsakes and help launch two new Sporting Memories groups in the city.
From football programmes and match tickets to medals, trophies and vintage sports magazines, Sport Aberdeen is appealing for donations of any sporting memorabilia ahead of the launch of two Sporting Memories Foundation (Scotland) Groups in the city.
The new weekly groups, due to be held every Tuesday starting on August 18th, at Greyhope Community Hub in Torry and every Wednesday starting August 19th, at Northfield Community Centre, will provide a welcoming and friendly space where people of all ages and abilities can come together over a cup of tea to share sporting memories, enjoy quizzes and gentle activities, and make new social connections.
Sport Aberdeen is calling on members of the public, sports clubs and community groups to donate sporting memorabilia to help create a welcoming, sport-themed environment for the sessions. Old programmes, magazines, photographs, trophies, medals, scarves, newspaper cuttings and any other sporting paraphernalia are all welcome. All items will be stored safely and only displayed during group meetings.
As well as appealing for sport mementos, Sport Aberdeen is also looking for volunteers to help support the Sporting Memories groups in both Torry and Northfield. The volunteer role is ideal for anyone who enjoys meeting people and wants to help create friendly, inclusive sessions where sport becomes the starting point for conversation, friendship and community.
Alongside activities and conversations about memorable sporting moments, sessions may include themed quizzes, spot-the-ball challenges and light activities such as boccia and table football, all delivered in a relaxed and welcoming environment.
Joanna Hare-Scott is the Project Activator for Adults Mental Health with Sport Aberdeen’s Healthy Communities team, and is launching the appeal for sports memorabilia, “We know there are so many sporting memories tucked away in homes across Aberdeen, and we’d love people to help us bring those stories to life by donating memorabilia or volunteering with our groups,” she said.
“Sport has a unique way of bringing people together and sparking conversations. These groups will provide a friendly space where participants can meet other like-minded people and enjoy spending time in their community. Whether someone has played any sport, followed a team for years or simply enjoys hearing great sporting stories, everyone will be made welcome.”
The Sporting Memories Foundation is a national charity that helps people to reminisce, replay and reconnect through the power of sport and inclusive physical activity. The weekly sessions, which are dementia friendly but not dementia specific, use the power of sport to reduce loneliness, social isolation and inactivity. The groups are particularly suited to those who may be feeling isolated, or who live with long-term or neurological conditions, or who may not be able to participate in sport like they used to.
Anyone wishing to donate sporting memorabilia, volunteer or find out more about attending the new groups, should contact the Sport Aberdeen Active Lifestyles team at: activelifestyles@sportaberdeen.co.uk or call 01224 507701.