As we return to stricter lockdown regulations or to shielding, charity Sporting Memories rolls out its latest national resource: the Sporting Memories #KITbag. Delivered to people’s homes, the KITbag pack includes exercise equipment, a DVD, reminiscence resources and personalised record books. However, the KITbag is about so much more than what arrives in the post.
Since the start of the pandemic, Sporting Memories – the charity which in ‘normal’ times brings together older people across Scotland at over 130 Clubs for companionship and physical exercise – has reacted quickly. They have developed ways of keeping in touch and a wide range of physical, online and radio resources.
Through their #TalkAboutSport campaign, they encourage everyone to use the power of sporting memories to tackle loneliness and depression, and spark positive memories for people living with dementia. The campaign has attracted practical support from many well-known personalities from the world of sport.
Their latest national project is the Sporting Memories KITbag, which in Scotland has received funding from the ScottishPower Foundation, the National Lottery Community Fund, the CORRA Foundation and Spirit of 2012.
Delivered to people’s homes, the KITbag pack contains inclusive equipment for helping with being active, a DVD with magazine programmes, an exercise guide, Sporting Memories sports articles and quizzes, and a personal record book.
Donna Mackey, Sporting Memories Partnership Manager, is one of the team behind the KITbag. “Recipients receive either regular keep-in-touch (KIT) phone calls or participate in weekly online or telephone Sporting Memories Clubs where we offer motivation and general conversation.
“Our Club members tell us how Sporting Memories Clubs bring them enjoyment and something that often becomes the highlight of their week. We spark conversations and fond memories. That is exactly what we will also be doing with those who receive our KITbag when we keep in touch each week.”
Melanie Hill, Executive Officer and Trustee at the ScottishPower Foundation, said: “The ScottishPower Foundation is passionate about supporting projects that help bring people together to create deep and lasting connections.
“During these challenging times, this has never been so important and it’s brilliant to see the way the Sporting Memories Foundation is adapting to provide vital support despite the difficulties caused by the pandemic. The KITbag helps tackle loneliness and isolation so we’re proud that our funding has been able to support such an amazing project that brings joy for so many people.”
Chris Wilkins, Sporting Memories Co-Founder, says: “As a team and working with partners, Sporting Memories Club members, our volunteers and carers, we have been working on our own, longer-term solutions, just like the health sector has been working on COVID treatments and vaccines.
“We are delighted to have received ScottishPower Foundation and National Lottery Community funding, along with funding from the CORRA Foundation and Spirit of 2012, meaning that this service has been made possible and we will be able to support even more people to be active at home.
“We have been conscious throughout the pandemic that many of our Club members either could not engage with online activities or their conditions meant that these were not suitable. At the same time, so many of our members were not getting out of their homes, some through those early and now current months of shielding, and others through fear and inactivity. For some, reduced mobility has really taken hold.”
The charity accepts that the Sporting Memories KITbag is no panacea – but it is a project that brings long-term and ongoing benefits, both physical and in terms of companionship.
For organisations who would like to find out more about the #KITBag services and how to become involved, there is further information on the Sporting Memories website, at thesmf.co.uk
ONLINE LINK TO: www.sportingmemoriesnetwork.com/kitbag