Table Tennis against Alzheimer’s – the Art of Inclusion

Foundation Compassion Alzheimer Bulgaria

Table Tennis against Alzheimer’s – the Art of Inclusion is a project that highlights the benefits of table tennis for people with Alzheimer's disease, caregivers, institutions, and organizations. The project aims to promote table tennis as a valuable social activity that fosters inclusion, self-confidence, and community engagement among individuals with dementia. By providing training, workshops, and conferences, we will empower individuals with dementia to discover their hidden talents and participate in a sport that promotes physical and mental well-being.

Project support start: 01-08-2024
Status: Project implementation
Project Location: Kazanlak, Sofia and Varna, Bulgaria

Table Tennis against Alzheimer’s – the Art of Inclusion project aims at proposing pilot action for dissemination of the benefits of table tennis among the chosen target groups and at demonstrating good practices for inclusion.

Contribution to the Global Goals

Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.

Individual Change
- People living with dementia and their families (caregivers). People living with dementia in Nursing homes and users of a day care center and their caregivers.

Community Change
- General public will be the target group of the awareness-raising campaign.

Institutional Change
- The project will create a network of social services using table tennis for health (State, municipal, private providers and NGOs will be invited).

Individual:
- People living with dementia and their families (caregivers). Thanks to the trainings the target group will get acquainted with practicing table tennis and will become more enthusiastic and prepared for the forthcoming trainings and championships.
- To have concrete groups of players established from the family environments in Sofia and in Varna and Kazanlak. Through trained teachers and regular practice people living with dementia will have a noticeable socialization effect and improved/maintained cognitive skills thanks to their interest in the game and through the practice. Families and caregivers will enjoy their free time with meaningful activities (table tennis) and can report reduced stress level as well.
- People living with dementia will be empowered and table tennis will become a well-known method for them for socialization and improved cognitive status. 235 people will be reached through face-to-face and online activities (training, workshops, conferences, Championships).
Community:
- Initial stage of awareness-raising campaign reaching between 500-1000 people.
- To have concrete groups of players established from care structures in Sofia and in Varna and Kazanlak. More sustainable involvement of people with dementia in practicing table tennis and improved visibility of this cause. People with dementia expected to feel more valued and respected and their talents will be manifested, and more people will become familiar with this sport, improved awareness-raising among the general community thanks to the awareness campaign (many posts, publications in media, websites, bulletins etc. will reach 2000-2500 people).
- 235 people will be reached through the face-to-face and online activities (trainings, workshops, conferences, Championships) and news about the project will reach 4000 people in total from the beginning of the campaign thanks to the awareness raising campaign (through publications in web sites, social media, portals, media, posts etc.).
- An electronic Guidebook for table tennis for people with cognitive problems, which will be widely disseminated through internet and social media.
Institutional:
- The project will create a network of social services using table tennis for health – initial stage of the network – foundations during the first project period. (inviting individuals and preparatory work, 1st year).
- The project will create a network of social services using table tennis for health –mid-term stage of the network – the project will attract more organisations/providers from wide range of sectors: social, sanitary, volunteering, NGOs during the 2nd year.
- Established a non-formal network of 10-15 organisations and stakeholders (agreement signed) This is a milestone for sustainability and for representativeness for the future.

Number of trained caregivers and people with dementia will be 120. In Sofia, Kazanlak and Varna FCAB will work also with families/caregivers/people with dementia who live at home settings (20 people) and will organize for them 6 table tennis workshops about the benefits of table tennis and how to play table tennis. A balance between women and men will be sought, when and where possible. About 15% increase in women’s participation will be sought.
Guidebook for table tennis for people with cognitive problems will be produced, which will be widely disseminated through internet and social media. The guidebook will be presented at three online dissemination meetings for various stakeholders in Bulgaria. (at least 45 stakeholders, a balanced participation between women and men will be sought if possible).
They will include at least 10 participants (people with dementia and or caregivers), tentative locations: Sofia, Kazanlak, Varna. A balance between women and men will be sought, when and where possible.
Publications in internet, web sites, social media, production of six bulletins and a short video on the benefits of table tennis, podcasts, and two conferences on the topic). Media coverage on the celebration of the World Alzheimer day (21 September) and events for caregivers and people with dementia during September each year– the World Alzheimer Month.

6 trainings (every 4 months) at the Nursing homes/Day care centers in Sofia, Varna, Kazanlak). Supportive trainings/coaching will be provided on-line three times per year. 6 table tennis workshops (every 4 months) for family caregivers.
Guidebook for table tennis for people with cognitive problems will be produced, which will be widely disseminated through internet and social media. The guidebook will be presented at three online dissemination meetings for various stakeholders in Bulgaria (at least 45 stakeholders).
They will be conducted in/with the places of care for people living with dementia and will include at least 10 participants (people with dementia and or caregivers), tentative locations: Sofia, Varna and Kazanlak.
Contact and invite relevant stakeholders around the idea of table tennis for health (especially among vulnerable groups and people living with cognitive problems and dementia). By the end of the project we expect to have a concrete informal network.
Celebration of the World Alzheimer day (21 September) and raising awareness through various media channels plus two conferences for 30 people in 2024 and in 2025 will be organized.