Kyle Walker, Ivan Toney and Jarrad Branthwaite tried the experience ahead of Alzheimer's Society International

Members of the England men’s squad were given the opportunity to experience some of the physical challenges faced by people living with dementia by wearing a dementia ‘Empathy Suit’. In a video launched today, Kyle Walker, Ivan Toney and Jarrad Branthwaite were invited by Alzheimer’s Society to try on the suit and walk in the shoes of people living with dementia to help raise awareness of dementia and its symptoms, as part of The Football Association (FA) and Alzheimer’s Society’s official charity partnership.

Players were dressed up in the suit, made up of 13 components which inhibit mobility, motor skills, vision, and hearing, and were asked to complete a number of tasks including buttoning up a shirt and dribbling a football.

The video was launched ahead of England’s game against Belgium, which will be a dedicated ‘Alzheimer’s Society International’. This year’s dedicated match is part of The FA’s and Alzheimer’s Society’s Support the Supporters campaign, increasing awareness of dementia symptoms and encouraging fans to take the first step in seeking an all-important diagnosis if they spot any telltale signs in themselves or loved ones by downloading Alzheimer’s Society’s symptoms checklist.

Although dementia is the UK’s biggest killer, one in three people living with dementia in England and Wales don’t have a diagnosis and too many people still think dementia is just a sign of normal ageing, unsure of the symptoms, and too afraid to visit their GP. A diagnosis can allow families more time to plan for the future and unlock the door to treatment, care and support.

The video was produced by the Alzheimer’s Society, in collaboration with two local Bristol organisations, Bristol Dementia Wellbeing Service, a partnership between the NHS and Alsheimer’s Society, and the charity Alive Activities. They both use the empathy simulation suit in the Bristol and surrounding areas to train care staff and develop empathy in working with people with dementia.

Bristol Dementia Wellbeing Service’s Manager Virginia Wild: “Although no one can comprehend exactly what it’s like to live with dementia, we can better support those who have it by learning more about common symptoms and lived experience. It’s so important that people are able to get an early diagnosis, so we hope that by working together we can encourage people to be aware of the symptoms and seek support.”

Isobel Jones, CEO of Alive Activities said “This was an incredible opportunity for us as two small Bristol Based organisations to go and work with the England players at St George’s Park. It was amazing when we got the call! The Empathy Suit can be quite a moving experience, and we saw how surprised the players were to get a sense of some of the challenges people living with dementia often face. Of course, the most common symptoms of dementia, including memory loss and confusion, are non-physical, but what a lot of people don’t realise is the breadth of symptoms and challenges that can make everyday activities harder than usual.”