In a week when the focus has been on the challenges facing carers, it’s timely that a research study will start tomorrow at Lincoln Golf Centre to look at the impact our golf sessions have on the lives of carers.
Sociology students from The University of Lincoln will be conducting a study into the difference our golf sessions make to the lives of carers as well as looking at the wider societal impact of our service.
It’s part of an ongoing partnership with the university that has already provided invaluable evidence on the power of our golf therapy. When discussing the options for future projects we wanted to find an area of our social impact that was still to be fully evaluated. We all agreed “let’s research the impact it’s having on the carers and their families”
Tomorrow will see the research begin with the final report being published later this year.
Without wanting to pre-empt the final report, I’m going to share with you my gut instinct as to what some of the findings will be. You don’t spend four years working with families living with dementia without getting an intimate understanding of the challenges they face and the reasons as to why you have become such an important part of their lives.
So here we go….
- Trustworthy
- Reliable
- Priceless
- They don’t need to be there
- It’s provided breathing space
- They have made new friends and support networks
- They can now consider doing things they enjoy themselves
- They can keep working
- We involve them
- They know that their loved one is having a good time
- Improved outlook on life
- Chance to share challenges and problems
- Not judgemental
As you can imagine I could continue and go through all the amazing case studies on the deep and meaningful impact of our golf sessions have had on the carers we support – but let’s wait for the findings from the research project.
When we initially started scoping the project I asked the students “how many of your families have been touched by dementia?” Seventy five percent put their hands up.. Say no more.
I was very taken by their passionate desire to get involved with our project and their professionalism in scoping the research.
After all the preparation, I can’t wait for tomorrow when I’ll have the chance to finally introduce the carers to the students.
My gut instinct on how this will go? I think you can guess the answer to this one. xxx
