SUFFOLK FA are keen to remember those people in the community who can benefit by remembering.

With a thriving Walking Football scene in the county, there is an increased realisation that a large number of the demographic of participants and of the county as a whole are aged 50 plus.

The current social isolation measures in place to combat COVID-19 mean that there will be people unable to follow their normal physical well-being practices and in turn this impacts on their mental well-being.

Suffolk FA Senior football Development Officer Darren Scoulding said: “Building on the good working relationship that Suffolk FA have built-up with Sporting Memories, we are keen to share the excellent resources that are available for those who are at home and missing key social interactions.

“Sporting Memories have adapted their website to reflect a new campaign #TalkAboutSport that was launched last week. This looks to tackle the issue of older sports fans isolated in their own homes across the UK.

“For this they have created a version of their highly popular digital ‘Sporting Pink™’ reminiscence newspaper, based upon eight years of working with their members and more suited to one-to-one reminiscence whether in person or over the phone.

“They have even created a new video on how to undertake sporting reminiscence over the phone to help those who might be daunted by the prospect.

“Their overriding concern is that they can support ways to reach the most isolated older people who may have no other connection with the outside world other than a landline.”

To view the site and to register for the free digital content click here

The initiative comes at the same time that Suffolk’s Most Active County Partnership has launched the Keep Moving Suffolk campaign.

The campaign, which has been enthusiastically welcomed, aims to support everyone in Suffolk to get or remain active during the current Covid-19 pandemic. For further details click here

Darren Scoulding continued: “With more than 20 Approved Walking Football Centres in the county, we fully appreciate how much joy the game can bring to all ages.

“This, coupled with the many club volunteers, committee members and supporters across the county really epitomises how critical this demographic are to us all.

“Having seen the great interactive sessions that Sporting Memories have delivered across the county, I was really keen to understand the scope to provide something in the current climate. I was delighted when the guys as Sporting Memories came back with so much great resources!”

Phil Lown of the Sporting Memories Network said: “Suffolk FA have been a long-standing supporter of Sporting Memories in Suffolk and so we are delighted to offer the opportunity for the many Walking Football participants to utilise these resources in these difficult times.

“As an enthusiastic part of the Most Active County Partnership in Suffolk we are delighted that these resources can also be spread further via the excellent ‘Keep Moving Suffolk’ campaign.

“Amongst other things our clubs help to tackle loneliness and isolation for some of the most vulnerable people in our society and so we have worked hard to develop new ways to stay in touch over the coming weeks through the joy of sharing sporting memories.

“We hope many people will make use of them and that they will prove useful in these trying times.”