Hadfield Wood Recyclers is to fund FC United's Sporting Memories Network project

Hadfield Wood Recyclers, a Droylsden-based recycling business has teamed up with FC United to help expand the Club’s Sporting Memories Group, aimed at reaching out to older people in the north of Manchester.

Hadfield Wood Recyclers, a Droylsden-based recycling business has teamed up with FC United to help expand the Club’s Sporting Memories Group, aimed at reaching out to older people in the north of Manchester.

The Sporting Memories Network was set up locally last year by FC United, working alongside the national charity Sporting Memories Foundation. The project aims to unite elderly people to reduce isolation and loneliness and encourage friendships.

FC United’s Sporting Memories Group, which has 16 regular members,meets every Friday afternoon between 1.30pm and 3pm at Broadhurst Park. The sessions are free to attend and open to any sports fans over 50 years old (and open to fans of any football team).

The club is keen to expand the project further afield, starting more groups and eventually offering support across the whole of the north of Manchester.

Andy Cheshire, Community and Education Manager at FC United, said:

“The project is really gaining momentum and is a fantastic way for us to support older people. The initial idea is that people come together and share their memories of sport throughout their lives, but actually once they start talking they share all sorts of conversations. Hadfield Wood Recycler’s funding will help the project expand and do more activities with current members.???

Vicki Hughes, Group Business Development Director at Hadfield Wood Recyclers, said:

“We are always keen to support initiatives that help local people. When we heard about this one we really liked the idea that it was helping older people from the area local to our site. As the population generally gets older schemes like this will become more and more important to ensure the health and well-being of our communities.???

The Sporting Memories Network is already working with local GPs and care commissioning groups who are referring potential new members to them. This is something else FC United is keen to expand.