Bromley-based charitable trust, Mytime Active, is reintroducing dementia-friendly golf sessions at its Bromley Golf Centre – one of many activities the social enterprise offers to support residents living with dementia, and their carers.
To mark Dementia Action Week (May 13-19) – the Alzheimer’s Society’s annual campaign that brings people together to take action on dementia – Mytime Active is also hosting a dementia-friendly indoor street party with afternoon tea and entertainment at Crofton Halls in Orpington at 2.30pm on May 22.
Mytime Active’s pay-as-you-go dementia-friendly golf sessions are led by Bromley Golf Centre coach Tristan Hodgkinson, who is trained as a dementia friend. The hour-long coaching sessions take place on the driving range and are ideal for keen golfers now living with dementia, as well as people who are completely new to golf. The sessions are followed by a social meet-up at the club house.
Ann Wilbourn, Mytime Active’s Primetime manager and trained dementia champion, explains: “We’re creating a dementia-friendly community through a range of activities. According to the Alzheimer’s Society, by 2025 more than one million people in the UK will have a diagnosis of dementia. It’s our responsibility to ensure our community are aware of and have an understanding of the condition and help those diagnosed to get more out of life through being active.
“Golf is a safe, gentle activity and, guided by Tristan, participants get a golf experience without having to worry about losing their way on the course or getting confused.
“Research has shown golf is an activity that creates muscle memory, so even though the person may not remember their way around a golf course, they’ll remember how to play. It’s an open-air activity that’s great for mental wellbeing, and carers can join in for free.”
To find out more about Mytime Active’s dementia-friendly golf sessions, visit www.mytimeactive.co.uk/locations/bromley-golf-centre
