From Friday 4 to Sunday 6 December, the charity Sporting Memories is running a weekend of online events and information sessions – with special guests from the world of Welsh sport.

When plans to launch a Barry-based club were halted by the UK-wide lockdown, Sporting Memories started an online group for residents of the Vale to connect through sport, to combat isolation.

The '#TalkAboutSport Weekend Wales', in partnership with Dragons Community and Ospreys in the Community, celebrates Sporting Memories Clubs set up in Wales as part of a new project.

Sporting Memories uses the power of remembering and talking about sport to tackle dementia, loneliness and depression.

Weekly clubs bring together those who are over 50 and love to talk about sport.

Nikki Foster, Sporting Memories Project Coordinator, said: "Since the awarding of Healthy and Active funding in 2019, Sporting Memories has been growing the number of clubs in Wales, both face-to-face and online through Zoom.

"Of course, increasing that number has not been easy over the last few months!

"But we are proud of what has been achieved so far, with the support and hard work of our partners, club members and volunteers.

"This weekend of online events is a celebration of that.

"We had originally planned to hold events at sporting venues across Wales, but of course that can't happen now.

"So we hope this weekend will have something for everyone. The event is named after our current #TalkAboutSport campaign, which encourages everyone to talk about sport with someone who may be feeling isolated and provides resources to help people do that."

A WEEKEND OF SPORTING MEMORIES

Events for the weekend are as follows:

Friday 4 December

"An information session for carers" – an opportunity for carers and families of those who may enjoy attending a Sporting Memories Club to get a taste what happens at a Club and ask questions to Sporting Memories Project Coordinators.

Sunday 6 December

them through lockdown in ways which hadn't happened previously.

"Although a challenge, the use of technology has enabled us to reach our existing members and engage new ones to provide support through these challenging times, giving loved ones and carers a piece of mind that they are staying active and socialising regularly.

The TalkAboutSport Weekend is another great opportunity to share some incredible local sporting stories and engage more people in this programme."

Dragons Inclusion Officer and Sporting Memories lead Gareth Sullivan said: "We are proud and privileged to be in a position to support our vulnerable and isolated members through the Sporting Memories provision and it has been inspiring to see them learning new technology skills, whilst reminiscing about their sporting past throughout lockdown.

"With the valuable support of our Community headline partner, Centerprise International, we are looking forward to providing additional opportunities to grow our Sporting Memories family and further inspire our members."

For more information on how to join the online events, visit [L] www.sportingmemoriesnetwork.com/wales-weekend [.L] or send an email to [email protected]