In 2022, 35% of Aotearoa New Zealand's population was aged 50 and over, and the number of aged over 65 is predicted to hit a million by 2028. As we get older, maintaining connections with friends, whānau and the community becomes harder and harder. This can lead to feelings of loneliness and social disconnection. The proportion of people aged 65 years and over who said they felt lonely at least a little of the time in the previous four weeks increased from 27 percent in 2018 to 36 percent in 2021.

Dementia (also known as Neurocognitive Disorder) causes gradual deterioration in attention, decision-making, memory and learning, language, perception and /or social behaviour. It is often thought of an older person’s disease. However, about 5% of people who get dementia are under the age of 65; these people are referred to as having “younger onset”, or sometimes, “early-onset”, dementia. Because of the relative rarity, dementia symptoms in younger people are often missed or put down to something else (e.g. work stress, burnout or depression)

The Sporting Memories Foundation Aotearoa New Zealand harnesses the power of reminiscence and recreational therapy to help bring happiness and good health to older adults living with dementia, depression and/or loneliness.

With your help, we're looking to establish a network of accessible and inclusive sporting memories clubs for those aged 50 and over, similar to those currently found all over the United Kingdom (the UK charity was established in 2011).  We provide volunteer training and support, plus resources to help clubs offer a service that is free, familiar, and, most of all, fun. A typical sporting memories session occurs during the morning and lasts around 90 minutes, including 2 x 40 minute halves and a 10 minute half-time tea break. Sessions are built around the sharing of nostalgic sports-related stories, and some low intensity physical activity. The ideal size for a session is 12, with 15 being the maximum number, ensuring that everyone gets the chance to contribute. Clubs with more members will need to run more than one fixture per week. Ideally, these fixtures should be run at the same time, and in the same place, every week.Sharing is caring, but seeing is believing!Please visit the sporting memories network's website to see our inspiration, and the life-changing local community initiative that we are  bringing to Aotearoa New Zelaand. Once you've seen it, please share it around your networks.  www.sportingmemoriesnetwork.com