Wembley will become the UK’s first dementia friendly national stadium in a bid to keep sports fans affected by the condition “at the heart of the action”. The Football Association and official charity partner Alzheimer’s Society have collaborated to improve the match-day experience for people living with dementia, who can find sporting venues disorientating and overwhelming. Football’s governing body has also backed Alzheimer’s Society’s new Dementia Friendly Sports Clubs and Venues guide, while both the Premier League and the Racecourse Association have pledged their commitment to becoming dementia friendly. Alzheimer’s Society chief executive officer Kate Lee said: “We want to see all sports showing their commitment to giving fans with dementia a smooth journey from sofa to stands. “We’re really pleased to see our landmark guidance be so well received by organisations across multiple sports. “We hope it helps foster a more inclusive, accessible and welcoming environment for sports fans with dementia, so they can continue to be at the heart of the action.” After an audit of Wembley Stadium by people affected by dementia, measures have been put in place to improve accessibility and increase understanding of the condition. Public-facing staff such as matchday stewards will be given bespoke training and there will be increased visibility of services available, such as dedicated lifts and Wembley’s shuttle services. Stadium director Liam Boylan said: “The changes we’ve made at Wembley are the first steps in ensuring that those who are affected by dementia are not excluded from the beautiful game and can continue to enjoy the sport they love, safe in the knowledge that their support and wellbeing is our top priority. “Sport has an unrivalled ability to inform, educate and put a spotlight on important issues and we look forward to continue working closely with Alzheimer’s Society.” The Dementia Friendly Sports Clubs and Venues guide was created and funded by Alzheimer’s Society’s Sport United Against Dementia Board, with contributions from the Premier League and other sporting stakeholders. The changes we’ve made at Wembley are the first steps in ensuring that those who are affected by dementia are not excluded from the beautiful game Wembley Stadium director Liam Boylan The Premier League’s head of community Nick Perchard said: “The importance of creating an inclusive atmosphere for fans is of paramount importance to the Premier League and its clubs. “We look forward to seeing this landmark guidance rolled out further into the game and making a meaningful difference to families affected by dementia.” The Racecourse Association’s communications manager Paul Swain added: “We’re working closely with Alzheimer’s Society and backing its landmark guidance to keep fans at the heart of unforgettable racing moments as part of British horseracing’s ongoing commitment to inclusion.” Alzheimer’s Society said 900,000 people in the UK live with dementia – “enough to fill Wembley 10 times over” – and attending sporting venues presented unique challenges. Many find matchdays too disorientating and overwhelming due to large crowds and noise levels, plus the inability to communicate, Alzheimer’s Society said. Jonathan Pinkney, son of Brighton season ticket holder John Pinkney, who lives with dementia, said: “Dad has been a life-long Brighton fan, but his dementia diagnosis changed everything. “He gets anxious if it gets too busy and crowded, especially when queueing. But on the few occasions I have needed help from Brighton’s stewards, they have been incredibly supportive. “Going to a football game is great because for 90 minutes it’s just dad being dad, like he always was. That’s why Alzheimer’s Society’s work to make stadiums dementia friendly is fantastic.” Swansea partnered with Alzheimer’s Society Cymru in 2021 and set up a working group of fans affected by dementia before implementing a series of improvements. Among those, first and last steps within the Swansea.com Stadium have been painted red to assist fans with perception issues. Swansea’s head of hospitality and fan engagement Catherine Thomas said: “We strive to make a real difference to families impacted by dementia. “As well as providing ear defenders if noise mitigation is required at our games, we also have an inclusion room, which can provide a quiet space to watch the game during matches, while our disability liaison officers have undergone dementia friends training and are on hand to help in any way they can.” One in three people born in the UK today will go on to develop dementia Alzheimer's Society The FA’s partnership with Alzheimer’s Society, which began in 2021 and has been extended until July 2024, has raised over £400,000. Alzheimer’s Society estimates that by 2025 one million people will be living with the condition in the UK, and many millions more carers, partners, families and friends will be affected. Dementia deaths are rising year on year and 225,000 people will develop dementia in 2023 – one every three minutes – while one in three people born in the UK today will go on to develop the condition. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Andy Murray family missed his first home title in seven years due to rain delay Andy Murray hopes record breaker Djokovic ‘takes eye off ball’ before Wimbledon Pretty Woman makes Pep Guardiola’s day as Julia Roberts hails Man City champions

The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits last week ticked up modestly after falling to the lowest level in seven months the week before

The 18-year-old posted on social media on Tuesday, May 23, about her new gig, saying she was exploited by the media and "forced into portraying myself as something I wasn't."

The United States’ top international development official, Samantha Power, has pledged U.S. support to Serbia and Kosovo as the two former wartime enemies work to stabilize relations at a time of heightened tensions

The hosts of UpUpDownDown will be playable General Managers.

Breaking it all down in a recent Twitter thread, OpTic TeeP showcased how the M4 is perhaps the assault rifle that all players should be giving a try in Call of Duty: Warzone 2.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug 23, 2023--

Karen Tierney, a California-based textiles expert, restores historical wedding dresses. Earlier this year, she put out a call to her clients who gathered for a special fundraiser, to show off more than 150 years of history, craftsmanship and love.

Brittney Griner was back in action on her home court in Phoenix, Arizona, on May 12 for the first time since her release from a Russian penal colony

Hong Kong saw its biggest net outflow of residents since the beginning of the Covid pandemic, the latest

The Big Ten is again expected to be one of the toughest conferences in the country this season

It is the most common form of cancer in Britain and kills around 2,100 people in the UK each year, but still a “shocking” number of people remain unaware of the dangers of skin cancer, its links to sunburn, and how to spot the signs of this deadly disease. An overwhelming 77 per cent of people would not recognise signs of a melanoma – a malignant skin cancer tumour – despite the majority of Britons worrying about skin cancer, a new study by the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) has found. There are two types of skin cancer; melanoma, the deadliest form of which around 13,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the UK, and non-melanoma, of which there are more than 100,000 new cases diagnosed every year. The risk of melanoma is doubled if a person has had five or more sunburns at any age, the Skin Care Foundation states, but adds that experiencing just one blistering sunburn in childhood or adolescence more than doubles a person’s chances of developing a melanoma later in life. Non-melanoma comes in two most common forms: basal cell carcinoma, which accounts for about 75 per cent of skin cancers, and squamous cell carcinoma, which accounts for about 20 per cent. It is mainly caused by overexposure to UV light. But despite the serious risks of cancer posed from sunburn, nearly three quarters of people surveyed by BAD admitted to having been burned in the past year alone, while 40 per cent of people were found to never check themselves for signs of cancer. Here is how to check for possible signs of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer: Melanoma: The NHS states the first signs of a melanoma is often a new mole, or the change in appearance of an existing mole. Moles are usually round or oval, with a smooth edge, which is not bigger than 6mm in diameter. Any change in size, shape, or colour, any bleeding, crustiness or itchiness, or how painful a mole is should be shown to a doctor. The NHS has an ABCDE checklist to help people tell the difference between a normal mole and a melanoma: Asymmetrical – melanomas have two very different halves and are an irregular shape. Border – melanomas have a notched or ragged border. Colours – melanomas will be a mix of two or more colours. Diameter – melanomas are larger than 6mm (1/4 inch) in diameter. Enlargement or elevation – a mole that changes size over time is more likely to be a melanoma. Non-melanoma: Non-melanoma usually appears as a lump or discoloured patch of skin that does not heal. If a person experiences on of these patches that do not heal after four weeks, they should see their GP. Signs of Basal cell carcinoma can look like a small red or pink lump, though it can also appear as a pearly-white or waxy-looking lump, or it can also appear as a red or scaly patch of skin. The lump, whether pink or white, will grow slowly and can become crusty or bleed, or become a painless ulcer. Signs of Squamous cell carcinoma are the appearance of a firm pink lump. This lump could have a flat, scaly or crusted surface, often bleeds easily and feels tender to touch and can also become a painless ulcer. Read More UK skin cancer statistics 'shocking' Skin cancer referrals up 41 per cent in 5 years Wolverine star Hugh Jackman treated for skin cancer Cheap holidays blamed for huge rise in skin cancers