A new initiative to help people living with dementia is set to launch at a Norfolk golf club.
‘Fore get me not golf ' will launch at Dereham Golf Club in February to offer people living with the illness, their partners or carers the chance to meet once a month to socialise, play games, and maybe hit a few balls.
Stuart Goodman, club secretary, was inspired to launch the scheme after reading about something similar started by Tony Pennock, who is a professional player and manager of Seckford Golf Club in Suffolk.
Mr Pennock joined forces with Wendy Chard from Home Instead, an at-home care service for people with dementia, on their project.
Mr Goodman said: “I wanted to show that Dereham Golf Club can do something for the community, give something back to them, and help out.
“It is raising awareness for people with dementia, that we are here to give them a little bit of exercise, some enjoyment, and to say to Dereham, we are here to help."
Mr Goodman is leading the project alongside the club’s welfare officer Sarah Wicks and ex-professional, Steve Beckham.
Mr Goodman said it had been “very moving” to see how the scheme worked at the Suffolk club.
He said Dereham's would be the first club in Norfolk to offer such a programme, which some people had already signed up to.
“We will also be raising money for local dementia groups,” Ms Wicks added.
“Any funds that we make will go back to local dementia groups and research - and so far we have raised around £500, with more fundraising days on the horizon.”
The initiative supports the Forget Me Not charity.
Anyone interested in taking part in the scheme, can call 07833 107582 or 01362 695900.
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