Watford FC and the club’s Community, Sports & Education Trust have been busy marking Dementia Action Week, which runs until Sunday (May 19).
The annual campaign is supported by the Alzheimer’s Society, a UK charity which provides support and research for those affected by dementia.
This year, the campaign’s focus is on bringing the UK together to act on improving dementia diagnosis rates. Diagnosis is vital to give people access to the care, treatment and support they desperately need.
Yet, incredibly, one in three people with dementia do not have a diagnosis, even though 91 per cent of people affected say there are benefits to getting one.
If you’re worried about yourself, or someone close to you, you can get help by clicking HERE for support and advice.
You can also complete a checklist, provided by the Alzheimer’s Society, which contains 20 questions about possible symptoms or behaviours relating to dementia and may help you raise those concerns with your GP.
To mark the start of Dementia Action Week, the club welcomed both familiar faces and many new people from the community, including Mayor Peter Taylor and Dean Russell MP, to celebrate with us at a special coffee morning held in the Sir Elton John Suite at Vicarage Road Stadium.
The guests enjoyed live music from Denis Cook, as well as the Phoenix Choir, and seated exercise provided by Councillor Sam Summer from Sam PT.
Refreshments including sweets were generously donated by Suren Vis from Sweets For All and professionals from the town’s Dementia Steering Group, which is run by Watford Council, were on hand for a chat.
“It was wonderful to collaborate with Shona, Joanne and Conor from Watford FC’s Community Sports & Education Trust to make this event a success,” said Sarah Turnbull, a Community Wellbeing Officer for Watford Council.
“We have received positive feedback from people living with dementia, their caregivers and members of the Dementia Steering Group who attended.”
Across the course of last season, the club worked with local coordinators from the Alzheimer’s Society who visited the stadium to provide tips and suggestions which have helped make Vicarage Road a more dementia-friendly environment.
The Society has also provided dementia awareness training for staff, with refreshers planned before the 2024/25 season gets underway.
“We’re very grateful for the continuing support we receive from the Alzheimer’s Society and it’s our pleasure to promote this vital campaign,” said Dave Messenger, the club’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead.
“The experience we’ve gained from working with the Society means we’re well placed to ensure supporters living with dementia can continue to enjoy their football as safely as they can.
“We encourage anyone who needs some additional support to attend matches to contact us, and we’ll be more than happy to discuss their requirements.”
The Trust also continues to run its hugely successful programmes for people living with dementia. Golden Memories is a weekly reminiscence event for those impacted and their carers and/or loved ones.
The session’s content utilises the history of Watford FC, including general reminiscence, former players, memorabilia, music therapy and dance through the eras.
It evokes memories, creates connections and brings comfort to both guests and carers.
The Trust also offers a respite area for carers during the sessions and now runs monthly excursions in the local community.
A second Golden Memories group runs every week on a Wednesday at the Holywell Community Centre.
This session focuses on reminiscence and mental and physical wellbeing.
If you or a loved one are living with dementia and need additional support from the club to attend matches, please contact disabled.supporters@watfordfc.com with your details, and one of our team will call to discuss how we can help.
To find out more about Golden Memories, please click HERE or contact Shona McHale, the Trust’s Older Adults Project Manager at shona.mchale@watfordfc.com.
To find out more about what’s happening across the town, and the Council’s work to make sure Watford remains dementia-friendly, please click HERE.