Football enthusiasts who are battling dementia now have the opportunity to relive historic football matches through an innovative virtual reality experience, debuting at Hampden Park.
The groundbreaking VR headsets, the first of their kind in the UK, offer users the opportunity to immerse themselves in the ambiance of Scotland’s national stadium as it was in the 1960s.
During the unveiling, former Rangers footballer and Alzheimer Scotland ambassador Mark Hateley showcased how the 3D immersive technology recreates the sights, sounds, and atmosphere of historic matches, including the journey to the game, passing through the turnstiles, and experiencing the exhilaration from the expansive terraces of Hampden.
Amidst the launch, Patricia Clark, 73, a member of the Football Memories Scotland group, shared her experience, stating, “As soon as I put on the headset it took me right back to when I was seven years old, when my brother John took me to my first football match at Celtic park. I could see all the men wearing their caps and could even smell their cigarette smoke: it was amazing. It brought back so many memories that had been buried. Now I’ve got them back again, it’s wonderful.”
The collaborative effort between Alzheimer Scotland and the Scottish Football Museum made the project a reality. This joint initiative utilises memorabilia such as old photographs and films to help refresh the vivid memories of football fans. The supporters from Football Memories Scotland groups were instrumental in shaping the content and themes of the new immersive experience.
Robert Craig, Chair of the Scottish Football Museum, expressed his delight at the launch of the unique and exciting VR experience, stating that it marks a significant milestone for all involved.
Furthermore, the VR content was co-created by people with dementia, researchers at Abertay University, and designers from a Dundee-based video game developer, crab.Bit. The project has garnered significant support from The Digital Health and Care Innovation Centre, and has also received additional funding from the Scottish Government, enabling Alzheimer Scotland to distribute virtual reality headsets to all its 26 Dementia Resource Centres across the country.
In addition, the charity has trained 35 staff members as digital champions to offer these VR experiences to local communities.
Henry Simmons, Alzheimer Scotland’s chief executive, highlighted the positive impact that therapeutic activities like reminiscence can have on people living with dementia, expressing gratitude for the valuable contributions from individuals with their own experiences of dementia.
Dr William Kavanagh, a lecturer at Abertay University’s School of Design and Informatics, also emphasised the potential of virtual reality technology for enjoyment, education, and healthcare purposes, underscoring the project’s meaningful impact and the intention to further explore the use of VR reminiscence in similar situations.
In conclusion, the introduction of VR technology to aid individuals living with dementia marks a significant step in providing therapeutic support and fostering moments of pleasure and enjoyment for individuals facing memory-related challenges. With the collaboration and dedication of various stakeholders, the innovative VR experience has the potential to transform the lives of those affected by dementia, adding value to their quality of life.