Watford FC’s Community Sport and Education Trust is delighted to be able to continue it’s Golden Memories project, for those living with mild/moderate Dementia and their carers, for the next two years, thanks to support from the Sky Bet EFL Building Foundations Fund.
This funding has been secured as part of Sky Bet’s EFL Building Foundations Fund, which has awarded nine EFL Club charities with a share of £520,000 to support community-focused initiatives. Each season, £1 million is made available in funding to Clubs and their charities, with a maximum grant of up to £100,000 awarded to successful bids. The Sky Bet EFL Building Foundations Fund was launched as part of the new title rights extension agreed between the EFL and Sky Bet in 2023.
Running every week, during term time, in the Sensory Room at Vicarage Room Stadium, Golden Memories provides guests the opportunity to come together in a safe space, to meet others and build friendships. The free, 90-minute sessions include a range of appropriate cognitive stimulation and physical health activities, as well as themed events. Sessions also work with local healthcare professionals to provide a respite area for carers, including support for their needs and local signposting. Once a month, an excursion is organised, providing participants with the opportunity to visit local attractions, rekindling old memories and creating new ones together.
Since Golden Memories has gone from strength to strength, and the latest survey results across the sessions have demonstrated that:

• 90% of participants showed an improvement in their physical and mental well-being,
• 100% of participants have reported an improvement in their quality of life.

Additional feedback has included:

“I struggled to get him out of bed this morning, and now you have him dancing! It’s amazing!”

“It’s a social world you wouldn’t find anywhere else, so inviting, a special world in its own bubble. Without places like Golden Memories, you’re lost. It’s also taught me so much about dementia and how to support Walter living with it. It’s perfect for people who are just diagnosed and scared, it’s a judgment-free zone.”

“It sets the day up to be so positive, which has carried on for the rest of the day.”

Speaking about the funding, the Trust’s Community Director, Rob Smith, said:

“We are delighted to be receiving funding from the Sky Bet EFL Building Foundations Fund to support our Golden Memories initiative for people living with mild to moderate dementia and their carers. The project is supported by a wonderful group of volunteers and together they have become like an extended family for each other.
“Golden Memories has been running for over five years, but its future was uncertain due to the current funding running out. Thanks to the Sky Bet EFL Building Foundations Fund we will be able to keep the programme running for at least another two years. We are extremely grateful to be receiving this support at such an important time.”

For more information on Golden Memories or to refer someone to the sessions, please contact our Health and Wellbeing Project Manager (Older Adults), Shona McHale, by emailing shona.mchale@watfordfc.com