The Warriors Community Foundation will be revealing a new campaign next week called #LeadTheWay to highlight the issues people face who live in isolation.
Within our community there are so many people who have lost the ability to socially interact due to bereavement, caring for others, disability or mental illness.
Next week we will launch a campaign to reach out to these people, engage with them and enable them to visit Sixways to interact with others whilst enjoying a matchday experience.
Ahead of last weekend’s exciting local derby with Gloucester Rugby, the Alzhemier’s Society's Side by Side project contacted the Warriors Community Foundation and asked if they could facilitate a visit to the rugby for dementia sufferer Eric Duncan, who used to coach children’s rugby in Worcester and played in his youth.
Eric was very nervous about the proposed visit and being around lots of people. But with his friend Roger Moore by his side, the Alzheimer’s Society managed to convince him to give it a go.
Warriors Community Foundation Manager Carol Hart said: “We made provisions for Eric to sit with Roger in an area of the stadium where he would feel most comfortable and where he could get up and move around if needed to.”
And, after enjoying a Warriors win over their local rivals, Eric was delighted with his day out thanks to the Warriors Community Foundation.
He said: “It was very exciting. I was probably last at Sixways ten years ago and it was nice to come back.
“I liked that there were kids from local schools participating in rugby at half-time and it was great to see Warriors get the win!”
Eric’s friend Roger Moore, who attended the game with him, said: “It was great and we felt very welcomed by Carol who made the experience possible.
“The fact the game was a derby was good too. It was a great day out for Eric which he really enjoyed.”