Do you love sport? Do you love talking with others who love sport?
The Sporting Memories project provides opportunities for people to get together to discuss sport, participate in activities and share memories from past decades.
SportsUnited is recruiting older people as volunteers for this fun and enjoyable program and to support those who may be feeling lonely or socially isolated. The project is seeking adults aged 65+ to assist with developing and facilitating Sporting Memories programs across metropolitan regions and the Barossa Valley.
Volunteers for the SportsUnited Sporting Memories program help to recruit others to attend weekly face-to-face community sessions to reminisce about sport, play fun games and meet others. The program delivers weekly sessions of sports reminiscence and inclusive physical activity, to help support the mental and physical wellbeing of older people who may be feeling lonely or socially isolated.
SportsUnited Executive Officer, Emma Milanese, is encouraging people to become volunteers and says, “there are many benefits to the program, both for volunteers and participants.
“Being a Sporting Memories volunteer provides an opportunity to gain new skills or reapply old ones as well as meet new people and gain new experiences. Volunteering also provides the satisfaction of knowing you can make a real difference to the lives of so many other people.
“We know the last 18 months have been very hard, particularly for older people to socialise away from home. The SportsUnited Sporting Memories program is designed to support social interaction with a focus on sharing and reliving sporting history.
“It’s always wonderful to see people share their stories about past sporting moments. Recalling past sporting experiences, whether as a player or spectator allows people to find connections with others.
“Working together we can help others who may be finding it difficult to socialise and meet people,” said Emma.
All SportsUnited volunteers are provided with:
- Full induction and Sporting Memories facilitator training (including in sports reminiscence and working with vulnerable older adults).
- Ongoing support and access to training resources.
- Assistance with obtaining Police background checks.
If you are interested in becoming a SportsUnited Sporting Memories volunteer or have any questions, please email Emma Milanese (Executive Officer) sportsunited18@gmail.com or via the SportsUnited website https://sportsunited.org.au/contact
SportsUnited is supported by a Positive Ageing Fellowship Grant from Office for Ageing Well, SA Health to develop the Sporting Memories project.