FC Bayern and Alzheimer's Association provide dementia care training

Suddenly, Uli Hoeneß’s voice fills the room – and silence falls. Some time ago, the honorary president recorded a message specifically for FC Bayern’s ‘Forever Number 1’ memory case, which plays every time the accompanying card is opened. The German champions’ memory case is designed to evoke emotions in people suffering from dementia. This time, an unusual audience is listening: FC Bayern has invited members of its volunteer programme ‘PACK MA’S’ to a workshop at the Alzheimer Association of Munich to educate them on the topic of dementia. “This memory case is a truly wonderful initiative by FC Bayern,” says Semra Altınışık, deputy executive director of the Alzheimer Association. “FC Bayern is raising awareness of this issue and providing concrete help to people with dementia.”

At the start of the workshop, Herbert Hainer addressed the participants: “FC Bayern has developed a range of member dialogue formats. We regularly invite people to workshops and discussions – and today’s event has a very special, unique dimension.” Sports “bring people together across generations”, the president continued. “Our ‘Mia san mia’ stands for solidarity, community and responsibility. We at FC Bayern see ourselves as one big family – that’s not just a cliché for us – and in a family, you look out for one another. That’s why I’m immensely grateful to all of you for joining our club in supporting people living with dementia.”

In the presence of Kiki Hasenpusch, deputy managing director of FC Bayern eV, Kim Krämer, FCB’s fan liaison officer for people with disabilities, and Sibylle Hinrichsen, a dementia support worker at the FC Bayern Museum, the volunteers were shown – following an introduction with practical examples – how an everyday routine like preparing breakfast can fragment into a series of moments that are difficult to piece together, and how challenging it is to perform even familiar tasks when one’s mind isn’t cooperating. “You want to, but your mind says no,” was the key insight following the hands-on exercises. 

The contents of the FC Bayern memory case, including jerseys, photos, tickets and more from the club’s history in the 1970s, are designed to evoke emotions. Sepp Maier diving for the ball, Uli Hoeneß slipping past defenders, Gerd Müller scoring goals in his inimitable style, or Franz Beckenbauer lifting trophies into the air – “all of this touches us,” as Hainer said in his video message. “We want to create moments of joy for those affected by fostering memories and emotions.” The members form the foundation of FC Bayern, the president explained: “Thank you for getting involved through our volunteer programme ‘PACK MA’S’; thank you for being part of FC Bayern alongside our players!” At the end of the workshop, everyone sang Franz Beckenbauer’s “Gute Freunde kann niemand trennen” (“Good Friends Can’t Be Separated”) together – a song that has also proven popular during visits to facilities serving those affected.