People with dementia invited to join walking football sessions

Walking Football is a slow-paced version of the beautiful game aimed at adults and is designed to help people keep an active lifestyle in their older age. As the name suggests, Walking Football is non-contact.

East Dunbartonshire became one of the first places in Scotland to launch sessions of Walking Football specifically for people living with dementia when the WALK Project teamed up with Ceartas Advocacy and other key services in the East Dunbartonshire Dementia Network to introduce them last year.

The eight-week block, funded by Paths for All, was so successful that the sessions continued fortnightly until the start of the summer. The new season will kick-off on Wednesday, August 24 at 1pm at Kirkintilloch Leisure Centre and will run fortnightly until December 14.

Councillor Anne Jarvis, Chair of East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture Trust, said: “When the sessions were introduced at the start of this year they proved very popular with players of all types of abilities who enjoyed the chance to play the beautiful game again.

“Walking football is designed to give you the chance to play the game you love but reduce the chances of injury. It’s a great way to keep fit, learn skills, have fun and socialise at the same time.

“Even if you have never played football before, this is the perfect introduction to the game and the organisers will help you practice at a level of activity that best suits your needs, making sure you are safe, comfortable and above all else, having fun.

“We’ve received a lot of positive feedback from participants and their carers about the many health and social benefits of Walking Football. I hope the project continues to thrive as this is a great opportunity for individuals with dementia to be active and benefit from socialising with fellow footballers.”

Milngavie Football Club also run weekly Walking Football sessions for adults at Allander Leisure Centre. For further information, please contact Football Development on 0141 5788431 or email [email protected]

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