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Bringing together generations through Sporting Memories

We have supported a primary school in Troon engage further with residents at a local sheltered housing project, as part of an intergenerational project connecting different generations through sport. 

Pupils from St Patrick’s Primary School have been visiting residents at Bradan Road Sheltered Housing Project since last year as part of an Active Schools project designed to encourage multiple generations to get more physically active.

And in recent months, South Ayrshire Council have engaged with Sporting Memories to provide a range of resources and activities that would encourage pupils and residents to participate in inclusive sporting activities during their weekly visits.

This involved delivering Sporting Memories training to the Active Schools team, that in turn was then delivered to pupils at St Patrick’s so they could provide the residents of Bradan Road with a range of exciting activities.

Sporting Memories resources have also been used when undertaking activities between the pupils and residents during their weekly visits. This has included playing indoor sports such as Boccia, Darts, Golf and Table Tennis alongside creating sport-based quizzes for everyone to test their sporting knowledge with, and even taking part in walks to encourage better health for residents.

This activity coincides with the relaunch of our Replay Memory Makers programme - which allows schools and colleges to interact with older people in their local community, using the power of sport to create understanding and connections, through a range of activities.

Feedback on the resources

Veronica Watik, Active Schools Coordinator at South Ayrshire Council, has been thrilled with how the project has developed over the past year and is delighted the impact that Sporting Memories has had on all involved.

“Both pupils and residents love a Wednesday morning and don’t want it to end! We have had residents who don’t normally come to group activities but come out of their house to join the pupils of St Patrick’s at different sports. They say it’s the best part of their week!

“The pupils at St Patrick’s have built such a strong relationship with the residents and really taken the time to get to know them which has been lovely to see.”

“We would love to offer Sporting Memories resources and activities to our schools and local communities in the future, and especially with the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games this summer in mind.”

Replay Memory Makers

To find out how your school or college can develop its own intergenerational activities ahead of this year’s Commonwealth Games, please visit the website here.