University News & Events

New research conducted by Glasgow Caledonian University together with the Scottish Football Museum, Alzheimer Scotland and member clubs of the Scottish Football Heritage Network reveals that showing football memorabilia to men with dementia stimulates their memories with quite remarkable results.

The project used match photographs and programmes as the subject of one-to-one or group discussions over a period of 12 months and found that the men responded tremendously well to the memorabilia and were able to chat with others about their memories of players and events.

The wife of one of the men involved in the study, said: “I drive here with this sad person with dementia and I take home my husband.”                

The overriding feeling is that there is more scope for the use of football in stimulating the mind.   

Releasing the findings alongside Motherwell and ex-Scotland Football Manager Craig Brown, Professor Debbie Tolson, Director of Glasgow Caledonian University’s centre for evidence based care of older people said: “This was a fascinating study that revealed impressive results. The men’s life-long interest in football connected them to their former selves and shared memories. There is very little provided specifically for men with dementia and this is a welcome and positive innovation.”  

Dr Irene Schofield of Glasgow Caledonian University led the study – collecting data and undertaking analysis – while Professor Tolson was a co-researcher bringing her internationally recognised expertise in realistic evaluation methodologies to bear.

The project was funded by Museums and Galleries Scotland working alongside Alzheimer Scotland, Culture and Sport Glasgow, the Scottish Library and Information Council and a number of football clubs from around Scotland.

Robert Craig, Chairman of the Scottish Football Museum is delighted with the success saying: “It is great that football memories stretching over many years can brighten the lives of people suffering from dementia”.

Henry Simmons Chief Executive Alzheimer Scotland commented: "This is a truly innovative and imaginative project and Alzheimer Scotland is extremely happy to have been involved from its earliest stages. The Scottish Football Museum has not only created a marvellous tool for engaging with men with dementia, but also ensured that research was carried out in the pilot, providing an impressive body of evidence.”

Professor Tolson and the team from GCU are set to continue to support this work in partnership with the Scottish Football Museum and Alzheimer Scotland.