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Dementia Cricket & Tea Event
Cricket, cake, friends and sunshine...
We loved hosting Walking Cricket & Tea for members of the Dementia Aware Hythe Group last week. Here's a report from the team at The Kent Cricket Foundation:
Now in its third year, Kent Cricket Foundation marked Dementia Action Week by hosting a special Walking Cricket and Tea event on Friday 22 May at Hythe Cricket Club. The event brought together members of the Dementia Aware Hythe group to raise awareness and build understanding of dementia—a progressive condition that affects memory, thinking, and behaviour.
Bright sunshine set the scene for a relaxed and uplifting day, where participants and their carers came together to enjoy gentle physical activity and connect as a community. Kent Cricket Foundation partnered with Louisa Arnold from Movement and More, who led the group through a range of balance and coordination exercises alongside cricket-based activities. The session concluded with a fun, inclusive mini-game that encouraged everyone to get involved, regardless of experience or ability.
Evidence continues to highlight the importance of physical activity for brain health. Even small amounts of regular exercise can improve memory, thinking skills, and emotional wellbeing, while also reducing the risk of cognitive decline. During the session, participants and carers learned simple, practical exercises they can continue at home. These tools offer ongoing support, particularly for carers as they help their loved ones stay active and engaged.
The group rounded off the day with a cricket tea, giving everyone time to relax, socialise, and share experiences. Social interaction plays a key role in maintaining wellbeing, and opportunities like this help reduce loneliness while supporting cognitive health.
Kent Cricket Foundation will continue to build on its strong partnership with Hythe Cricket Club and the Hythe Dementia Awareness group. The team now plans to expand this work across Kent, supporting more dementia-friendly communities through inclusive activities like Walking Cricket.
This work also aligns with the legacy of the Derek Underwood Fund, set up in honour of the Kent Cricket legend who lived with dementia. The fund supports pathway cricket, helping to ensure that future generations can access the game while also raising awareness of the condition—providing a meaningful link between community engagement, participation, and lasting impact.