Sporting Memories Foundation Scotland and Edinburgh Leisure are collaborating to launch a weekly club to tackle depression, dementia, and loneliness through sport.

Sporting Memories has developed an innovative and engaging approach to tackling the challenges of our ageing society by getting people active and using tools to spark memories that can fuel conversations and friendships.

The two partners are calling for volunteers to help run the club. They will be trained to use a wide range of Sporting Memories’ reminiscence resources developed to prompt conversation, discussion, laughter and friendships.

Pending volunteer support, the Sporting Memories Club is starting early in 2025 at Meadowbank.

Sam Scott, health development officer at Edinburgh Leisure, says: "These clubs support Edinburgh Leisure’s mission to keep people active and well, no matter what age or stage. Using the rich history and heritage of sport, we're creating a space where older adults can connect, reminisce and build friendships through their shared love of sport.”

The sessions will be open to people over the age of 50 who enjoy talking about sport and are feeling lonely, isolated or depressed or living with dementia. Carers are also welcome.

The Sporting Memories Foundation is a UK-wide social enterprise which was launched in 2011 to use sport as a wellbeing tool. There are now more than 100 clubs running either in-person or online. For a set-up fee, the organisation gives training to those wanting to start a club and charges an annual licence fee.