New Dementia Awareness Initiative At Ashton Town
Mon 20th July 2015 | Ashton Town | By Ian Templeman
Ashton Town will be welcoming people suffering from dementia to the club, as part of a new initiative run in conjunction with Wigan Council.
Chairman Mark Hayes, and committee members Clare Peters and Frankie Meadows, attended a decision day last week run by Wigan Council regarding what community projects would get funding to help provide more dementia-friendly community groups within the borough.
Six groups fought it out for votes following a short presentation and a Q & A session, and Ashton Town impressed greatly, receiving 28 votes, and were chosen to represent the town and receive funding.
Mark Hayes said: "Having witnessed dementia first hand within my family, I made it my own personal mission to give something back to the community and help raise awareness.
"I hosted an event where a coach full of people living well with dementia visited the club for an outing back in April. The event was amazing and was provided completely free of charge, and to see so many smiles was heartwarming.
"It also gave family and friends a chance to spend time with their loved ones in a different environment other than just a hospital, or in a home.
"From that visit four of the club's volunteers, including myself, have taken up training in dementia awareness, and we aim that all club volunteers will be trained by 2016.
"An eye opener was also to find out that only Premiership side Everton at the time were classed as a "dementia friendly" football club. This gave me a massive incentive for Ashton Town to be club number two.
"It might only be little Ashton Town, but it's our little Ashton Town. It's not about giving people with dementia hope, or babysitting them, it's about giving them a purpose and a safe place to connect with other people".
Town will meet with Council officials in the coming weeks to confirm their plans, but Hayes insists it is not just going to be football related.
"I don't want to just force the standard on them which is the likes of bingo etc", he said.
"I want to provide them whatever they want, we are much more than just a football club, and along with match days we plan to open the clubhouse at least twice a week to provide coffee mornings, reading, games, even gardening, or general bits of maintenance.
"Dependent on their stage of dementia I want to provide chances for them to still use their skills. They may have been a painter and decorator in their day so we will let them paint, or they may just want someone to simply talk to and show interest for a couple of hours, then we will provide that too.
"Everything will be provided free of charge, including food and refreshments".
The club will open its doors to the new venture in late August. However, any ideas and requests will be welcomed, and all enquiries should be sent to markhayes@ashtontownafc.co.uk.
Pictured is Ashton Town Chairman Mark Hayes with former class 1 referee Charles Hall, who visited the club during the successful "Dementia friendly" day at the club back in April.
New Dementia Awareness Initiative At Ashton Town
Mon 20th July 2015 | Ashton Town
By Ian Templeman
Ashton Town will be welcoming people suffering from dementia to the club, as part of a new initiative run in conjunction with Wigan Council.
Chairman Mark Hayes, and committee members Clare Peters and Frankie Meadows, attended a decision day last week run by Wigan Council regarding what community projects would get funding to help provide more dementia-friendly community groups within the borough.
Six groups fought it out for votes following a short presentation and a Q & A session, and Ashton Town impressed greatly, receiving 28 votes, and were chosen to represent the town and receive funding.
Mark Hayes said: "Having witnessed dementia first hand within my family, I made it my own personal mission to give something back to the community and help raise awareness.
"I hosted an event where a coach full of people living well with dementia visited the club for an outing back in April. The event was amazing and was provided completely free of charge, and to see so many smiles was heartwarming.
"It also gave family and friends a chance to spend time with their loved ones in a different environment other than just a hospital, or in a home.
"From that visit four of the club's volunteers, including myself, have taken up training in dementia awareness, and we aim that all club volunteers will be trained by 2016.
"An eye opener was also to find out that only Premiership side Everton at the time were classed as a "dementia friendly" football club. This gave me a massive incentive for Ashton Town to be club number two.
"It might only be little Ashton Town, but it's our little Ashton Town. It's not about giving people with dementia hope, or babysitting them, it's about giving them a purpose and a safe place to connect with other people".
Town will meet with Council officials in the coming weeks to confirm their plans, but Hayes insists it is not just going to be football related.
"I don't want to just force the standard on them which is the likes of bingo etc", he said.
"I want to provide them whatever they want, we are much more than just a football club, and along with match days we plan to open the clubhouse at least twice a week to provide coffee mornings, reading, games, even gardening, or general bits of maintenance.
"Dependent on their stage of dementia I want to provide chances for them to still use their skills. They may have been a painter and decorator in their day so we will let them paint, or they may just want someone to simply talk to and show interest for a couple of hours, then we will provide that too.
"Everything will be provided free of charge, including food and refreshments".
The club will open its doors to the new venture in late August. However, any ideas and requests will be welcomed, and all enquiries should be sent to markhayes@ashtontownafc.co.uk.
Pictured is Ashton Town Chairman Mark Hayes with former class 1 referee Charles Hall, who visited the club during the successful "Dementia friendly" day at the club back in April.