Special swimming and walking football sessions now on offer at Southbury Leisure Centre

Southbury dementia swimming (credit GLL) — credit GLL

Dementia-friendly swimming and walking football sessions are being launched in Southbury.

Southbury Leisure Centre will be introducing the Monday-morning sessions starting next week (Monday 12th) specifically for people living with or at risk of Alzheimer’s or dementia, with their carers being able to join them for free.

The sessions will provide people with the chance to “socialise and interact with others in a quiet environment” while getting active and staying healthy.

Sessions will take place every Monday and include dementia friendly senior swimming from 9.30am-10.30am followed by a ‘sporting memories’ conversation from 10.45am-11.45am and then walking football from 12pm-1pm.

Vishal Karia, leisure centre operator Greenwich Leisure Ltd’s partnership manager, said: “As a charitable social enterprise, we put great emphasis on caring for the senior members of our community.

“It is estimated that over 12,500 people in Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey and Islington currently live with the condition and this number continues to increase year on year.

“People living with dementia can face challenges like memory loss, visual perception issues, restricted mobility and noise sensitivity, which can make everyday activities stressful.

“These special sessions will provide a safe, quiet space, a chance to socialise and an opportunity to get active.”

Prices for each sessions start from £11.50 per day for non-members or £7.50 per day for those on a senior pay-as-you-go membership schemes. Carers accompanying a participant can attend for free.

To book a dementia-friendly sports session at Southbury Leisure Centre:
Visit bookings.better.org.uk/location/southbury-leisure-centre

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