Following our recent forum topic discussing partnerships within the development of Walking Football, we hear from Jake Park of Lincolnshire FA on their new series of dementia-friendly Walking Football sessions.
"Though those with Alzheimer's might forget us, we as a society must remember them."
My name is Jake Park, and I am the Football Development Manager at Lincolnshire Football Association. It’s important to note at the beginning of this post that I am by no means a health expert, but I do know that dementia is not an inevitable part of aging. I have learnt that it’s varied, it’s relentless and it’s becoming increasingly more common. During 2021 in Lincolnshire, NHS Digital Figures showed over 7,000 people had a dementia diagnosis, with the likely number of people living with the condition being closer to 11,500. In 2022, a Lincolnshire Police report stated that same figure could be expected to rise to 60,000 by 2035.
One aspect of my role at Lincolnshire FA is to develop walking football and the opportunities which are attached to it in Lincolnshire. In recent seasons, and by working very closely with our incredible, local volunteer workforce, I am incredibly proud to say we have increased the number of opportunities for players, referees & coaches which has included the introduction of a brand-new league consisting of six divisions & 500 players.
In my opinion, the benefits which are attached to walking football make it the most powerful tool we have available as development officers. I have seen first-hand the life changing impact it can have on individuals, from reintegrating people back into physical activity after suffering serious health conditions, including cardiac arrest, to providing people of all ages with an opportunity to escape the clasp of social isolation and loneliness.
A number of months ago, I attended a health & wellbeing meeting and was amazed to hear that almost 40% of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias can be delayed or even prevented, with physical activity & maintaining a healthy lifestyle being a leading contributor. Naturally, this sparked consideration as to how I could connect with and work alongside different health organisations and use walking football as a tool to support the above theory, increasing walking football participation in the process, but also looking at how we support and positively impact those who are already living with dementia. I felt there was a need to trial something locally with an ambition to continue that potential life changing impact, whether that be for one person or 20.
Creating partnerships based upon strong foundations of trust was a really important part of this process. Through our existing relationship with our local active partnership, I was able to be connected to a range of organisations already doing work in this space, including Age UK, Carers First & Lincoln City Foundation. By connecting with them, understanding their organisational vision, mission & values, I was able to recognise where common goals & objectives could be achieved, which made bringing them on the journey with us a lot easier. An example of this would be that Active Lincolnshire, as part of their ‘Let’s Move Lincolnshire strategy’, have an aim to positively impact their resident’s health by becoming more physically active, meaning they immediately have an invested interest the project. There’s an undeniable link between physical activity and our health & wellbeing, not just in the way the two can positively impact each other, but in the complex interrelation of barriers that can hold people back. These partnerships enabled me to gather a better understanding of the barriers those living with dementia face when accessing physical activity, and what a dementia friendly environment should look like. Things such as accessible travel and car parking were really important aspects which I perhaps wouldn’t have considered. Active Lincolnshire were also incredibly helpful, and I would recommend any County FA to strike up a positive working relationship with their active partnership.
Our connection with Carers First presented me with an opportunity to attend a local meeting and connect with the carers of those living with dementia. This was massively beneficial as it enabled me to gather market research and understand what was available from a sporting perspective currently, when it took place, & the cost included. I wanted this to be an additional, standalone offer for people, not one which competed against something they were already part of. Understanding the want, need & demand of the target audience, I felt, would be key to initial participation but also long-term retention of activity. Another strand to our offer as part of the project is to have an indoor space available for carers where they can enjoy some coffee, tea, cake & biscuits and general respite for an hour whilst the session takes place, making it a holistic approach. Lincoln City Foundation will act as the delivery arm for the project, enabling us access to their facilities, but more importantly their highly skilled staff team who have completed dementia friends training, and all relevant qualifications.
Since working in sports development, I’ve learnt there’s a big difference, but often a fine line, between an opportunity being available, and an opportunity being accessible. I am really confident that every consideration has been taken to ensure this new opportunity is one which is truly accessible to those living with dementia. All of the details relating to the project can be found within the attached picture, all of which has been shaped through community consultation. With sessions due to begin imminently, the short & long term success of the project remains uncovered, but I am immensely proud of our ongoing commitment to making walking football accessible to all in Lincolnshire.