Cardiff Rugby Community Foundation and the Alzheimer’s Society celebrated a special milestone this week – the one-year anniversary of the Sport and Memory Café.

Launched in 2023, the café runs fortnightly at Cardiff Arms Park, offering a welcoming space for those living with Alzheimer’s, other forms of dementia, and those caring for loved ones affected by the condition. 

Over the past year, the sessions have continued to grow, drawing in not only Cardiff Rugby supporters but also people from across the city.

The café was the brainchild of Season Member Lee Griffiths, whose father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

Reflecting on the past year, Lee said: “I wanted to start the dementia sports and memory café at Cardiff Rugby because of my dad. He has Alzheimer’s but still enjoys attending games. 

“I wanted to find a way to bring together the positive spirit of rugby with dementia support and after speaking with Nadine Griffiths at the Cardiff Rugby Foundation, the café was born with the help of the Alzheimer’s Soctiety. 

“Since then, it has grown to welcome around 20–30 regular attendees. We play games such as shuffleboard, sticky darts, skittles, boccia, and take part in sports quizzes. 

“There’s often a song or two, and CF10 Trust have also supported us by giving talks on Cardiff, Wales, and Lions memorabilia and history. 

“The café has become a safe, social space for people living with dementia, loved ones and their carers.

“We’re proud to have linked in with CAVUHB, welcoming inpatients from UHL hospital as part of their activities programme for MHSOP. None of this would have been possible without the support of the Cardiff Rugby Foundation, who have helped us bring the project to life.”

The recent link up with the CF10 Trust saw attendees explore the rich sporting history of Cardiff Rugby and the British & Irish Lions, using the Arms Park trophy room to spark memories and conversations.

Current players such as club captain Liam Belcher and Alun Lawrence have also attended sessions to meet supporters, leaving a lasting and humbling impact on the forward duo. 

Reflecting on the milestone, Nadine Griffiths from Cardiff Rugby said: “Teaming up with the Alzheimer’s Society and being able to provide both support and respite for people, especially our supporters, has been something we’ve wanted to do for a long time. 

“We were delighted to get the idea off the ground thanks to the tireless commitment of Lee and our team here at the Foundation. To be reaching our one-year anniversary of these sessions is a really meaningful achievement for us.”