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Care home helps ex-footballer return to sport in Belper Care home helps ex-footballer return to sport in Belper
(about 1 hour later)
Geoff told staff at Milford House that his wish was to play football again Geoff Mansfield told staff at Milford House that his wish was to play football again
A care home resident in Derbyshire has returned to playing football despite being diagnosed with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.A care home resident in Derbyshire has returned to playing football despite being diagnosed with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
Geoff, 85, used to play for his local club and told staff at Milford House in Belper it was his wish to play again. Geoff Mansfield, 85, used to play for his local club and told staff at Milford House in Belper it was his wish to play again.
He now attends a weekly walking football group at Belper Town Football Club. He now attends a walking football group at Belper Town Football Club.
The home said Geoff was now more mobile and had a noticeably improved physical and mental wellbeing. The home said Mr Mansfield was now more mobile and had a noticeably improved physical and mental wellbeing.
Geoff moved into Milford House when his son needed help with his care. Mr Mansfield moved into Milford House when his son needed help with his care.
As an ex-footballer for his local team, football had always been Geoff's love in life, his family said. As an ex-footballer for his local team, football had always been his love in life, his family said.
Geoff played for his local club in his younger years Mr Mansfield played for his local club in his younger years
After a few months of living at the home, staff there introduced a scheme where residents were encouraged to pick one wish and the workers there could help make it come true.After a few months of living at the home, staff there introduced a scheme where residents were encouraged to pick one wish and the workers there could help make it come true.
Geoff's wish was to play football again. Mr Mansfield's wish was to play football again.
Kirsty, the home's dementia care coach, spoke to local associations and found Belper Town Football Club were starting a walking football group. Kirsty Swift, the home's dementia care coach, spoke to local associations and found Belper Town Football Club were starting a walking football group.
She approached Geoff about taking part and said he could not wait to get started. She approached Mr Mansfield about taking part and said he could not wait to get started.
Geoff attends a weekly walking football group at Belper Town Football Club Mr Mansfield attends a weekly walking football group at Belper Town Football Club
He attended his first session in February with the support of family and care home staff.He attended his first session in February with the support of family and care home staff.
Kirsty said: "Geoff was incredible. Ms Swift said: "Geoff was incredible. He was so keen to get involved and soon had the ball at his feet.
"He was so keen to get involved and soon had the ball at his feet. "He scored two goals and he even jogged at times," Ms Swift said. "We were so thrilled... I welled up watching him play."
"He scored two goals and he even jogged at times.
"We were so thrilled... I welled up watching him play."
The home has since organised for him to attend sessions every week.The home has since organised for him to attend sessions every week.
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