Shining eyes, a singsong and, above all, a wealth of memories – the FC Bayern memory case once again had a big impact at the end of November at the Münchenstift retirement and nursing home in Munich-Schwabing. "It was an in-depth exchange with everyone," said Kim Krämer. FC Bayern's disabled fans officer brought the case together with trained dementia assistant Sibylle Hinrichsen.
Twenty residents had gathered together, who all suffer from dementia at very different stages. And they all have one thing in common: FC Bayern. This is exactly where the memory case and its contents come in. "Everyone can relate to FC Bayern," explained Hinrichsen, "you can reach people with the club's illustrious name alone. It's a great way to build bridges."
The suitcase contains a colourful array of material: autograph cards from Gerd Müller and Paul Breitner, photos of the Olympiastadion, newspaper reports from the 1974 national cup triumph, a ball from the 1980s with the signatures of the team at the time - Lothar Matth äus, Klaus Augenthaler, Hansi Flick, ‘Wiggerl’ Kögl... Hinrichsen and Krämer did the rounds and got talking to everyone: about visits to the stadium, the 1972 Olympic Games, the hairstyles and clothing of the time. For three-quarters of an hour, they reminisced together. And when Hinrichsen spontaneously sang Franz Beckenbauer's hit "Gute Freunde" at the end, the whole group sang along.
„Everyone can relate to FC Bayern. You can reach people with the club's illustrious name alone. It's a great way to build bridges.”
Sibylle Hinrichsen, dementia assistant
FC Bayern's ‘Forever Number One’ memory case has been in constant use for over a year now. In fact, there are three suitcases, two of which are sent out free of charge. As a tool for biographical work, they help to reclaim a piece of the identity of dementia sufferers. Interested relatives of those affected as well as social organisations can simply register by email (erinnerungskoffer@fcbayern.com).
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