Sporting Memories Foundation Scotland is announcing an exciting series of projects that will capture the history of the International Island Games as well as create a long-term legacy on the Orkney Islands, thanks to support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Sporting Memories will be collecting and curating memories from across 5 decades of International Island Games history and launching two new clubs in Orkney in Kirkwall and Stromness.
Ahead of the games, Sporting Memories are inviting those with any connections to the International Island Games from the past 40 years of competition, to share their memories to create a treasure trove of stories as a legacy of the 20th International Island Games. All memories will be shared online to form an important archive for the history of the games.
As well as collecting short stories, Sporting Memories is also looking to recruit and train volunteers to conduct longer interviews to capture more in-depth oral histories. You can find about how to volunteer on our website.
Alongside the memories project, 2 new Sporting Memories Clubs will be launched on the Islands with support from Orkney Islands Council and Voluntary Action Orkney. These will open prior to the games in the summer, with sessions being hosted in Kirkwall and Stromness. The clubs bring together older sports fans to take part in a fun mix of sports reminiscence, social and inclusive physical games and activities.
The Kirkwall Sporting Memories Club will open on 23 April at The Pickaquoy Centre with details of the Stromness Club to be announced in the coming weeks. For further information on the clubs, please email contact@sportingmemories.uk. If you would like to find out how to volunteer to help at the clubs as a Club Facilitator or Club Supporter, details about these roles can be found on our website:
Chris Wilkins, CEO and Co-Founder of Sporting Memories, said:
We are delighted that Sporting Memories is supporting the International Island Games on the Orkney Islands later this year as it celebrates reaching the landmark of 40 years since the first Games were held, thanks to support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Throughout the coming months with Heritage Fund support and thanks to National Lottery players, we hope to capture the cherished memories of those who have been involved with the games throughout its 40-year history, whether it be as a competitor, spectator, or a volunteer – we want to capture the rich history of the competition to share across the generations.
We will also be launching two new Clubs in the run-up to the Island Games ensuring that we create a long-term legacy that will provide older people a place to meet regularly, build friendships and become more active that will ultimately benefit their mental and physical wellbeing.
