NEWPORT County AFC is set to become Wales’ first dementia friendly football league club after taking part in training sessions organised by the Alzheimer’s Society.

During the summer, staff from the club in supporter-facing roles and volunteers were involved with the dementia support and research charity to better-understand the condition as an illness.

The training covers how it affects people and enable them to be more empathetic and understanding of their needs.

The club will be presented with a certificate at half-time on Saturday’s game against Yeovil in honour of their achievement.

Colin Faulkner, the chairman of the Newport County Disabled Supporters Association (DSA) has helped to drive the work with Newport County AFC.

He said: “We hope to create an environment that enables supporters with dementia to continue attending games at County.

“We want to reach out to those with dementia who have stopped coming and help them to rediscover the sport they once loved to watch and hope that over the next year all directors, staff, volunteers at the club will have attended a dementia friends awareness session to ensure the best match day experience possible.

“In Norman Parselle, County in the Community, we have a champion who has a passion for the subject and who is greatly respected and admired at the club, he will be delivering the sessions which hope will include the next generation of players in the academy.”

The club’s academy sides from the age of 16 and up will also take part in the dementia-friendly training, it has been confirmed.

Jayne Bryant will be on hand at Saturday’s game for the certificate presentation, alongside Mr Faulkner and a representative from the charity.

The Newport West AM said: “I’m really proud that Newport County AFC have received their dementia friendly award; the first football league club in Wales to have completed this level of awareness.

“One in 14 people over the age of 65 have dementia, but it impacts many more than just those with the condition.

“The free Dementia Friends training helps to raise awareness about dementia and how to best understand how dementia affects those who live with it and their families.

“It’s a real boost to see Newport County AFC receiving the award, not only to raise awareness about dementia but also to ensure that the club cares and welcomes those with dementia to the games.

“It is another crucial step towards Newport becoming a dementia friendly city.”

The club are the latest city institution to undertake dementia-friendly training, including Newport City Council, the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and Gwent Police as well as businesses.

Kerry Phelps, Alzheimer’s Society Cymru’s Operations Manager for Gwent agreed with Ms Bryant the latest development could help Newport become a dementia friendly city.

“There are 2,000 people living with dementia in Newport,” she said.

Creating a dementia-friendly city will help to reduce stigma and make people feel confident, understood and supported to remain as a valuable member of society.

“It is great to hear of the positive work happening at Newport County AFC. They are setting a high standard that I hope other teams will follow across the country.

“Many people with dementia are not able to take part in activities they once enjoyed before they developed the condition – such as going to watch a game of football.

“One in three people living with dementia only get out and about once a week and one in 10 only manage this once a month.

“Knowing that their local team is dementia-friendly will hopefully encourage people with dementia to continue to go along to games, safe in the knowledge that they will be supported and understood when they are there and can remain part of their community for longer.”