Remembering Rovers project helps support loved ones through the power of football

For one Doncaster wife, caring for her husband has become a full-time role.

Thanks to Doncaster Rovers' Remembering Rovers project, matchdays have become far more than football – they have become a chance to be husband and wife again.

She tells her story.

"For more than 52 years, my husband and I built a wonderful life together. We raised a family, went on lovely holidays and enjoyed time with friends. Today, life is very different.

"My husband lives with mixed dementia, a condition that has severely affected his memory, understanding and ability to communicate. He needs support with almost every aspect of daily life, and I have become his full-time carer.

"Day-to-day things have become really hard but then we found Remembering Rovers."

Lasting first impressions 

"I first heard about the project through the Memory Club at Wheatley Golf Club. I loved the idea, but I was worried a busy football stadium would be overwhelming for my husband.

"Those fears disappeared almost as soon as we arrived.

"Before the match, we were welcomed into a relaxed space where everyone had time to settle over a cup of tea or coffee. The staff explained everything, introduced us to the support team and made sure I knew there was always someone there if we needed help.

"I loved that it wasn't just my husband who was being looked after - I was too." 

The real life impact of Remembering Rovers

|Although dementia has taken away my husband's ability to express himself, football still reaches a part of him that the illness hasn't touched. I don't know how much of the match he understands, but I know how it makes him feel.

"The atmosphere and cheers bring him to life. He smiles more, becomes more engaged and, for a few hours, I catch glimpses of the man I've loved for over half a century.

"Win or lose, we always come home happier than when we arrived.

:The dedicated spaces before the match and at half-time are just as important as the football itself. They give carers a chance to breathe and families a place to talk."

Creating a community

"Living with dementia can be incredibly isolating, but Remembering Rovers has changed that.

"I've met people who truly understand what life is like. We laugh together, share advice and remind each other that none of us have to face this journey alone. Those friendships have become one of the greatest gifts the project has given me.

"For a few precious hours, I don't feel as though everything rests on my shoulders. I feel welcomed, supported and, most importantly, I feel like me again.

"Before dementia, our lives were filled with family gatherings, holidays and meals out. Those things gradually became harder, but Remembering Rovers has given us something new to enjoy together. It has also given us the confidence to take part in other dementia-friendly activities and focus on making the most of the moments we still have.

"The project hasn't changed our diagnosis, but it has changed how we live with it."

Social interaction, belonging and inclusion

"Remembering Rovers is about so much more than football. It's about belonging and inclusion. It's about remembering that behind every dementia diagnosis is a husband, a wife, a family and a lifetime of memories.

"For us, Remembering Rovers has given us something we thought we'd lost. It has given us time to be a couple again.

"Together, we can still experience all the highs and lows that comes with supporting Doncaster Rovers!"

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Stories like this are exactly why Remembering Rovers exists. Delivered by Club Doncaster Foundation, the free programme takes place on Doncaster Rovers home matchdays at the Eco-Power Stadium and is open to people living with dementia, alongside their carers, family members and loved ones.

Whether you're a lifelong Rovers supporter or simply looking for a welcoming, supportive environment to enjoy matchday together, Remembering Rovers offers a place where everyone belongs.

For more information about attending Remembering Rovers, contact Foundation Head of Community Programmes Nick Gillott: nick.gillott@clubdoncasterfoundation.co.uk.

Supporting Age UK Doncaster’s Keep in Mind project 

Club Doncaster Foundation is also proud to partner with Age UK Doncaster’s Keep in Mind project - a dedicated support service for people living with dementia, as well as their families, carers and friends across Doncaster.

The service takes a person-centred approach, providing each individual with a dedicated Pathway Coordinator who offers ongoing support, regular check-in calls and guidance to help them access the services and activities best suited to their needs.

Working alongside a range of local organisations, Keep in Mind connects people with social groups, wellbeing activities, dementia cafés, exercise sessions – including the Foundation's Walk and Talk sessions – carer support and a variety of other community opportunities.

By reducing social isolation, promoting wellbeing and helping people stay connected, informed and supported, the project enables those living with dementia and the people around them to navigate their journey with confidence.

For more information about the Foundation's sessions delivered in partnership with Keep in Mind, contact nick.gillott@clubdoncasterfoundation.co.uk.