Helping your community group or activity club to keep going strong: Suggestions for members of groups and clubs from the SCI-Dem Review

The SCI-Dem review is a study we have done at the University of Worcester. It has been looking at the challenges that groups for people with dementia face. A group could involve a hobby, sport, exercise or leisure activity, or it could be simply for people to gather together to socialise, get help, support each other or make sure their voice is heard. If you are reading this, it is because you may attend one of these groups or clubs.
Keeping a group going year after year can be challenging, especially when money is tight. We gathered together as much information as we could find about what might help or hinder such groups to keep going long-term.
Our review has looked at all kinds of articles, reports and studies on the running of community groups. We have also spoken to people involved in such groups for their take on things. We’ve come up with a list of tips and advice about how best to make sure your group is sustainable – meaning that it has the best chance of keeping going long-term.
This booklet is for you, as someone who goes along to a group or activity, to understand what we have found in this study – and also how you might be able to help your group or activity to keep going strong in the future.