Stagecoach West Scotland announces a partnership with Ayr United Football Club (AUFC) by providing refreshments and travel information to participants of the clubs ‘Dementia Friendly Walking Football’ pilot sessions.
The pilot will run for an initial six-weeks with the aim of gathering a large group of attendees to then continue the sessions permanently. The first session on Monday 20th January 2025 kicked off at Shoot Soccer in Ayr and saw an impressive turnout with good numbers of male and female participants as well as some of the Stagecoach team, including drivers, engineers and graduates who joined in the fun. The launch of the pilot was well-received by everyone involved, demonstrating the importance and benefits of this initiative. One of the Stagecoach drivers has also expressed an interest in attending the sessions on a regular basis.
Walking football is an excellent way for older adults to stay fit and healthy. It offers improved cardiovascular fitness, increased muscle strength, and mental health benefits through socialising in a supportive environment. Walking football is particularly well-suited for older adults because it is a slower-paced and a low-impact game.
Fiona Doherty, Managing Director of Stagecoach West Scotland, said:
It’s a great opportunity for us to support the ‘Dementia Friendly Walking Football' pilot sessions with Ayr United. This condition has a daily impact on many people in our communities and on our workforce, with family members affected by it. We are proud to give our support for such a cause which is crucial in providing the help and resources to raise awareness of dementia within our community.”
Dementia in football is now a widely discussed issue, with many former professional players being diagnosed with the condition. This has led to calls for increased awareness and research into the potential risks of developing dementia due to playing football, specifically heading the ball.
After experiencing dementia firsthand, through a member of the Ayr United Former Player Club, Andy McInnes, the Walking Football Coordinator at AUFC, was inspired to launch the ‘Dementia Friendly Walking Football’ pilot sessions. The goal of the sessions is to provide a supportive environment for individuals with dementia, offering caregivers and their families a chance to find respite, connect with others facing similar challenges and engage in enjoyable activities together.
Andy spoke on the importance of the support from Stagecoach:
"We are extremely grateful to Stagecoach for partnering with us on this project. Their support has allowed us to offer sessions that are free to attend. Partnering with a business like Stagecoach is crucial in providing opportunities for people living with Dementia and their carers, including family members, to participate in activities and obtain some respite for a few hours. Additionally, we extend our thanks to Shoot Soccer for generously making their facilities available to us."
The initiative strives to offer free participation as they do not want financial constraints to prevent anyone from attending.
Stagecoach will take the opportunity to speak with participants, families and carers about travel needs, guidance and the benefits of applying for a free concession bus pass.
Anyone looking to get involved should contact Andy McInnes, Walking football Co-ordinator at Ayr United Football Club on 07984 326056 or visit https://www.aufa.org.uk/walking-football/ to secure a space. The sessions take place each week on Monday’s at Shoot Soccer, Ayr from 2pm -4pm.
