Warriors welcomed a special contingent of people with dementia, carers and volunteers to Sixways ahead of their recent Aviva Premiership victory over Saracens.
The Club, through their Community Foundation, have been taking steps to become more dementia friendly and they have shown this through offering Dementia Friends awareness sessions to their stewards.
The Club are exploring different methods for including people with dementia in their matchday and community work.
Around 20 local people with dementia, carers and volunteers attended the Saracens game along with staff from Alzheimer's Society's Side by Side group.
They watched the action unfold from the warmth of a box on what was a cold winter's day and received support from Community Foundation staff Laura Bolon and Charlotte Hatton-Smith.
Some of the people with dementia had previous experience with rugby and others were new to the sport. Michael Whitfield and his son Steven attended the game. The pair are from Kidderminster.
Michael, who has dementia, said: “This came up and I called Steven to see if he wanted to come. I used to go to sports events a lot when I was younger but not so much recently. I like the fact it is mixed seating in the stands and it is nice and safe.”
Kevin Foreman, a Side by Side volunteer from Worcester was in attendance and is a former player of Moseley RFC.
He said: “It’s a good atmosphere at Sixways. There was a chance to watch an exciting spectacle and interact with others in a convivial atmosphere amongst great hospitality provided by Warriors.”
The Warriors Community Foundation has been working with the Alzheimer's Society's Side by Side support service at Worcestershire Royal Hospital.
Members of their Club’s educational HITZ group have been visiting people with dementia in hospital and offering them companionship and an opportunity to socialise.
Simon Northcott, BME and Disability Lead for the Warriors Community Foundation said: “It’s important to integrate people with dementia and hopefully the attendees experienced a sense of enjoyment from the game.
“Rugby is a community sport and the community-based side is rewarding. Hopefully we can engage with people who have lost touch with rugby who once played or had some involvement with the sport.
“Dementia affects people from all creeds and communities and the game has offered them a chance to unite around something they enjoy.”
Warriors and Kidderminster Harriers are leading the way in Worcestershire for including people with dementia in sporting events and will set a positive example for other organisations to follow across the country.
Janet Smith, Side by Side Co-ordinator for Worcestershire, said: “The Club were amazingly supportive and we can’t thank everyone enough who was involved on the day, particularly the Community Foundation team.
“The Side by Side initiative is helping the Alzheimer’s Society and local communities become Dementia Friendly and to come together to support those affected by dementia.
“If we can raise awareness at sporting events like these and support people with dementia to come along to a game or another activity, we are doing something right.”
If you would like to know more or have time to spare to help someone with dementia live a full life, please email janet.smith@alzheimers.org.uk or 01905 621868.