A memory café for people living with dementia has seen a lifelong Newcastle United fan spend time with Toon Army idols like Bob Moncur, Malcolm Macdonald and Nobby Solano.
Tom Trainer, 66 and of Denton Burn, lives with Alzheimer's disease. A big football fan who played competitively until he was past 50, visiting the monthly memory cafés at St James' Park has helped him to feel part of the club, even as his illness means he's no longer able to attend games on matchday.
Each month, the café is visited by an NUFC legend. The idea is to help support people with dementia and help them to reminisce about sporting glory from years gone by. Tom's wife Angie - the couple have been married 48 years - said: "Tom absolutely loves the dementia café at St James’s Park. Unfortunately, he can’t attend live games anymore as it’s just too overwhelming for him, but going to the café is something he always looks forward to.
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"Every month there’s a special guest – one of the club’s players from days gone by, and Tom has met them all. All the trophies are on display in the room where the café is held and Tom loves looking at them and reminiscing about the old days. The café is great for me too because I get to meet other people who are caring for a partner with dementia, so it’s a chance to share experiences. We’ve both made some lovely friends there."
The football club is working with the Alzheimer's Society to provide the memory café. The charity has a "dementia-friendly sports club and venue guide" - with NUFC one of a number of clubs around the company to be implementing the guidance - which was designed with input from people with dementia.
Alzheimer’s Society area manager for the North East, Helen Mayne, said: "Sport should be unforgettable and have no boundaries. It can provide a universal language for young and old alike. The colours, laughter, camaraderie and emotion – a relationship with sport can last a lifetime.
"Providing an inclusive and accessible environment for people with dementia is not just about practical changes. It is creating a culture, both in and outside the organisation.
"Sports clubs help people affected by dementia retain their sense of purpose, dignity and allow them to maintain a good quality of life. Small changes such as increased signage, offering quiet spaces, changes to ticket policies, seat allocation near accessible facilities and staff training can result in significantly better experiences for spectators."
Simple changes like clear and bold signage, and support from members of staff on matchdays can make life much easier for people with dementia. The charity's Sport United Against Dementia campaign is looking to use research to transform how sport deals with dementia, "so no player, former player, or fan faces dementia alone".
Darren Eales, NUFC's chief executive, said: “The memory café at St. James’ Park continues to be very popular with our supporters, using the power of football to engage with the group, stimulate conversation and re-live special football moments from years gone by.
"The memory café has been running for a number of years now and has allowed the club to connect supporters with former players and staff through their love of football. The sessions are free to attend and we would encourage anybody to get in touch, who may benefit from joining the group."
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