“FORE” GET ME NOT GOLF. Dementia friendly golf

Our Aim:

To raise funds to enable more adults with a diagnosis of Dementia to attend ‘Fore” get me not golf. To give them an opportunity that research shows improves their wellbeing. We have a waiting list and would like to add more days both at Seckford Golf Club but also to reach out and support the project taking place at other Golf Clubs. We have the Volunteers but not the funds. Every penny raised will go to reach out to more former golfers who have Dementia and support them and the carers in a safe and friendly environment.

What we do:

The Project “Fore“ get me not golf : was the idea of two special people Tony (Golf Pro) and  Wendy …The idea began in 2022 at Seckford Golf Club Woodbridge. They wanted to create a safe place for people with Dementia to continue an activity they enjoyed before diagnosis, The project wishes to support both the golfer and the carer. So, they decided to see if they could support people with Dementia to continue an activity they enjoyed before their diagnosis.

So once a month, at Seckford Golf Club for two hours. in an afternoon, the club provides a safe environment specifically for people with dementia to get out on the golf course. We have volunteers who are golfers, ideally with a ratio of 1:1, to go out with the person with dementia to prompt and guide that person to play golf to their own specific abilities. That may be just on the driving range or the putting area. We do have access to a few holes and those that wish too can enjoy being supported with a buggy if needed to play on the course.Their carer can stay in the clubhouse to talk to other carer’s enabling peer support, or they can leave the site if they wish to.

During the person with Dementia's time on the course, they gain physical activity, promote well-being, and can feel empowered by doing the thing that they used to love to do. You find that the person will have that muscle memory of their golf swing. The memory comes back to them about how to play golf. They might not be able to physically move about the course as they used to, but you find that they are able to hit the ball and they really enjoy the activity.

Richard’s Story: Written by his family:

Richard is 45 and lives with his Mum, Sister and family in Woodbridge, although he was born in Gillingham, Kent.

Richard has supported Crystal Palace Football Club all his life and his huge collection of memorabilia, kit and accessories are very precious to him, the same as with his hobby of anything to do with the Titanic.

Richard was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease in Down's Syndrome in July 2021.

Being born with Downs Syndrome and having to manage a severe heart condition and

other illnesses has never held Richard back. He has performed all his life with his

singing and is an accomplished dancer and mime entertainer. Richard enjoys playing snooker, table tennis and bowling, as

well as his beloved golf, which he used to play with his Dad.

Richard loves attending Forget Me Knot Golf for the sport, seeing Tony and Reg, his

two favourite friends and the camaraderie with other members and amazing

volunteers, also of course – THE CAKE!

It is wonderful to see Richard making new friends, showing his prowess at Golf and joining in with all the various games at Fore get Me not Golf, Seckford Hall, Woodbridge.

John’s Story

John is eighty four this year and spent most of his working life as a director of a building firm ending his working life in a management role at the Magistrates Court. Margaret his wife described as a good boss whose staff spoke very highly of him.

She began to notice changes but it took a number of years before he was given the diagnosis of Dementia 2019. 

John was diagnosed 2019 and in the last year his health has deteriorated and he does not recognise Margaret or his extended family and friends. 

John struggles in social settings and has found attending day care difficult being distressed. Recently Margaret had to stop his attendance leaving her with limited support. 

John was a golfer and continues to love the game. He doers have friends who take him out on the course but they are struggling with his needs and John is not always happy with their helping him.

However, John loves attending ”Fore” get me not golf and comes early to have lunch.  He is keen to leave the club house and play golf. He needs support but with one to one John can use the driving range and putting green. He is also encouraged to play one or two holes. John talks constantly his memory being triggered by hitting a ball.

Margaret says he likes to come he feels safe and looked after and this enables her to benefit and have ‘a couple of hours of respite’. She feels the whole environment and the volunteers respect John and create a nice safe environment.

In walking back to the clubhouse John was talking about his wife recalling her name and asking if she would be waiting for him. He was reassured she would be waiting. In the clubhouse he was taken to her side and he put his arms around her and gave her a kiss. This was the first time he had been affectionate for a long time and it moved his wife Margaret to tears and is it did to those who witnessed it. Margaret was happy for this moment to be shared as she feel it is a result of his attendance at Fore get me not.

Elizabeth.

Elizabeth was a regular golfer until a stroke and dementia stopped her golf membership. She loves coming to the group and her smile when she hits a ball of the practise mat confirms this. Although not very mobile she enjoys going on the course in a buggy watching others play.

Volunteers Story:

The first time you attend despite life experiences it is a project that pulls on the heart strings and at times can bring tears. It is a pleasure to watch the changes in those with Dementia find their voice and engage in a way that promotes their wellbeing. From struggling to engage and it humbling to watch this change through encouraging them on the golf course. The verbal interaction and the smiles when they hit a good ball or putt clearly supports their ability to interact.

The carers have an opportunity to share their life experiences and although as a volunteer we can listen we do not live with a loved one who has dementia. Peer support is so important. 

As volunteers we have been struck when chatting to carers hearing how lonely they feel as a carer as they can no longer share their day or chat through a problem. This group supports them in sharing with someone who can emphasise and understand.