Club Doncaster Foundation's Walk & Talk project provides support to new participants

Harry & Mary Roberts are relatively new to the Walk & Talk project, but have since become familiar faces every week since hearing about the regular Tuesday sessions. 

During the first session, Mary made staff aware that her husband, Harry, aged 84, was diagnosed with vascular dementia this summer. 

Following initially being told about her husband’s diagnosis, Mary felt she was alone and didn’t have much support. “We got the phone call to tell us exactly what the diagnosis was and that was it. There wasn’t much else from the phone call and I felt as if I was on my own.”

After having a phone call with people at MIND, Mary was recommended the Keep In Mind, Walk & Talk sessions at the Eco-Power Stadium, delivered by Club Doncaster Foundation. With it being relatively close to where they live and not being too far for Mary to drive to, they decided to come along and see what the sessions were all about. 

Since attending for the past two months, the pair are enjoying being around other people, making new friends and finding out about additional support from both professionals in attendance and other attendees. 

Mary explained that she finds the sessions very enjoyable. It gives her that sense of independence and the chance to take part in the chair-based exercise classes, have a walk, speak with friends while knowing Harry is in a safe and monitored environment.   

“I feel like I’ve got to know a lot of people here. To me, it’s like a big family,” Mary said. “It’s a very helpful group to come along to. If we need anything while we’re here, there’s plenty of people to help us. 

“I enjoy the exercise. I don’t usually go on the walk around the lake but I’ll walk round the stadium instead and there’s usually a couple of ladies that I walk with and we have a bit of a natter. I get to know things from them, as their husbands have got Alzheimers too.

“It’s such a lovely friendly place.”

Professionals are in attendance once every few weeks to speak to participants about a variety of topics, offering support and guidance and Mary believes having this available at the session has helped her learn more about her husband’s diagnosis. 

“Before, I felt as if nobody cared, but here, I’ve been able to get a lot of advice and people to get in touch with for different things. I’ve been told by people who come in to deliver talks, information that I didn’t know. If it wasn’t for coming here, I wouldn’t know.

“I’ve been able to learn more about Harry’s condition. It’s really helpful, I get to know things, what’s going to happen. People aren’t shy to tell you. 

“Coming here, I’ve learnt, what’s going to happen, how long it’s going to be like this, is it going to get worse etc and that there is help out there, and it’s through coming here that I’ve found out about the help.

“It’s nice to know that there is something for people like us, we don’t feel as if we’re on our own. It’s really helped us both.”

Scott Beresford, who runs the weekly sessions at the stadium, spoke of the impact the activities have had on the pair: “After joining the sessions two months ago, it’s been fantastic to see how well they’ve both settled in, in such a short space of time. 

“We’ve seen them both become more comfortable and active within the group. 

“They’ve had the opportunity to make new friends and speak with people who are in similar situations, sharing stories and advice.

“It’s been great to see them benefitting from the social element, the regular exercise and the assistance from the Keep In Mind service.”

As the count down towards the Christmas festivities next month begins, there’s already plans in place for a range of activities for participants to attend, including going to watch a Christmas film together, something that Mary and Harry have already expressed interest in. 

“If we weren’t coming here, we’d just be sat at home, we felt isolated,” she said. “I’d be doing a jigsaw and Harry would be asleep on the sofa. I wouldn’t be doing the exercise. 

“But here, it’s incredible. We don’t know what we’d do without it.”

Sessions take place every Tuesday at the Eco-Power Stadium, from 11am-2pm, with chair based exercises, a walk around the lake or equivalent, followed by a coffee and games of bingo.

Want to find out more, please contact scott.beresford@clubdoncasterfoundation.co.uk.