By 2025, it is expected more than one million people in the UK will live with dementia, with many millions more carers, partners, families and friends affected.
Through its partnership with The FA, Alzheimer’s Society is supporting players and fans affected by dementia, and in line with this, we are proud to announce the launch of a bespoke new Stadium Tour experience for supporters living with dementia.
Our new ‘Remincity Memory Walks’ are designed to engage supporters living with mild and moderate forms of dementia by reconnecting them with the Club in a safe and supportive environment.
Through the use of memorabilia and specialist tour guides, the 70-minute experience reflects on the Club’s long history and celebrates memories from throughout our past.
Ahead of the launch, we invited life-long supporter Barry Carr and his grandson, Charlie Gibson, to enjoy our new experience.
Supporters may recognise Barry, an 84-year-old supporter with dementia, from a heart-warming video recording during the final game of the 2021/22 season.
The video captured Barry’s journey throughout the highs and the lows of that historic day and how, despite his dementia, he could still remember some of the Blue’s famous songs.
The video resonated with football fans from across the country and picked up more than five million views in a couple of days.
During Barry’s tour, he visited the Home Changing Room, where there were various items including original programmes and souvenirs from FA Cup and League Cup finals, photographs of Maine Road, and Colin Bell’s match worn shirt from the 1960s.
You can see their tour below.
For more information about our Remincity Memory Walks, and when they will take place, follow this link.
The Reminicity Memory Walks builds on the success of City In The Community’s Reminicity initiative, a six-week programme created to provide a safe environment for participants to enjoy social and physical activity, through the conduit of football.
Led by CITC coaches, activities include social elements, where participants can relive classic Manchester City matches and group discussions on the Club’s history, as well as physical activity such as stadium walks, arts and crafts and walking football.
One of our mascots at today’s match is the Kalen Davies, grandson of Barry George, a Reminicity participant, and they will be watching the match together along with the rest of their family.
Charlie and Barry will also be at the King Power Stadium to support the team as guests of Alzheimer’s Society.
If you, or someone you know, needs dementia support, call Alzheimer’s Society on 0333 150 3456 or visit alzheimers.org.uk/support.
To find out more about City in the Community’s Reminicity programme, visit www.mancity.com/CITC or email citc@cityfootball.com.
