Rugby League Cares and Dementia UK are delighted to offer free clinic appointments with a dementia specialist Admiral Nurse for current and former professional Rugby League players.
If you are a current or former professional Rugby League player who has concerns about dementia or are caring for a current or former professional player living with the condition, you can book a phone, video or face-to-face appointment with an Admiral Nurse who can offer advice and support with any aspect of dementia.
Appointments are free, confidential and available on the first Wednesday of each month between 10am and 4pm.
Face-to-face appointments will take place at:
Weetwood Hall Estate, Otley Road, Headingley, Leeds, LS16 5PS – 6th November 2024, 8th January 2025, 5th February 2025
Book an Admiral Nurse appointment in Leeds
Orwell meeting room, The Edge Conference Centre, Riveredge, Wigan, Greater Manchester, WN3 5AB – 4th December 2024
Book an Admiral Nurse appointment in Wigan
Hopegill meeting room, The Melbreak Hotel, Winscales Road, Little Clifton, Workington, Cumbria, CA14 1XS – 5th March 2025
Rugby League Cares Admiral Nurse Clinic
How an Admiral Nurse can help
Admiral Nurses are specialist dementia nurses who are there for the whole family. They offer support with any questions and concerns about dementia, including:
- understanding the diagnosis
- practical tips and advice for caring for a person with dementia
- understanding symptoms and changes in behaviour
- managing your own feelings
- transition into a nursing or residential home, or stays in hospital
*Please note that this service is only available to current or former professional Rugby League players and their families
Consultant Admiral Nurse for Sport and Dementia – Joe Costello
Joe has over 20 years’ clinical experience in mental health nursing in a range of acute, community and clinic nursing roles in both the NHS and charity sectors, with a specialism in dementia care.
In his Admiral Nurse role, Joe provides specialist dementia support to people living with all forms of dementia, including young onset dementia (where symptoms develop under the age of 65).
As Consultant Admiral Nurse for Sport and Dementia, Joe is passionate about ensuring people of all ages who are affected by dementia receive appropriate care and support when they need it. He supports people who have played sport or been involved with sporting clubs, organisations and associations, and their families. He provides clinical consultancy and advice to sporting bodies in supporting best practice on dementia.
During Joe’s Admiral Nursing career, he has worked with the football foundation at Newcastle United FC. He participated in a walking football project for people with dementia and set up a Dementia Sports Café – a peer support group for people with dementia and their families. Joe is also a member of the Sporting Memories Foundation.
Further information
For more information about Dementia UK’s support services, please visit our Get support pages.
If you are looking for support from Dementia UK right now, please contact our free Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline on 0800 888 6678 (Monday-Friday 9am-9pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am-5pm, every day except 25th December) or email helpline@dementiauk.org
By engaging with the service you are agreeing to Dementia UK’s terms and conditions and privacy notice. If you have any difficulty accessing these, you must tell us before your appointment.