For the ‘Memory box’ project, volunteer fans of Bayer 04, trained in the area of dementia, regularly visits care homes and aged persons homes to meet with the people affected. The aim of the campaign is bring back special memories to give the person affected some quality of life.
The volunteers always take the so-called ‘memory box’ with them, which is filled with countless items from the history of the Werkself including boots, shirts, pictures and music. There are currently nine volunteers from the Black and Reds Silberlöwen club working on the project.
As a concrete example, the memory items are taken once a month to care homes. The different objects are inspected by a group of three to six people in turn. That usually creates free and dynamic conversation within the group. The participants suffering from dementia experience a good feeling through the memories and it gives them some autonomy again.
Future plans include adding a tablet to the memory box to be able to improve access to the memories of historic football pictures and football songs.
The #morethanfootball Action Weeks started on Monday 21 March and run to today 14 April. The aim is to highlight how football clubs can live up to their social commitment through a range of activities. The global project initiated by the European Football for Development Network offers participating clubs and organisations the opportunity through a range of theme days to inform their supporters and fans of their own activities in the area of community and social responsibility both on and off the pitch and thereby increase awareness of the role of football within society.
The Werkself took part in the campaign last year. Bayer 04 have again presented a range of activities on the different theme days over the past three weeks. In addition to today’s Mental Health day, that includes the issues of accessibility, social inclusion, awareness, sustainability and climate protection, peace and development, health and gender equality.
The Werkself and the Bayer 04 Women’s team have also draw attention to the Action Weeks in their recent home games. In addition, the campaign is being supported this year by the Werkself player Robert Andrich and Juliane Wirtz of the Bayer 04 Women's team in their roles as ambassadors.
Robert Andrich: "Football is more than just 90 minutes. I've been impressed by the many projects already running here at Bayer 04 on a wide range of themes – whether that's diversity, sustainability or inclusion. For me that's an essential element these days. As a football club you have the chance to use your charisma for important community and social issues. It's about responsibility and active tolerance – on and off the pitch. That's what we stand for."
Juliane Wirtz: "We all began playing football for the same reasons – for fun and love of the game and we are all the same in that respect. Therefore I think it's important that I as an individual and also the club not only stand up for diversity in football during the weeks of action but also for 365 days a year. I'm happy that campaigns like this provide a suitable stage for socially relevant subjects."
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Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 0-1 loss against TSG Hoffenheim on the 19th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.
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After a run of seven games unbeaten in all competitions, the Werkself suffered a 1-0 defeat at FC Union Berlin despite their best efforts. Captain Robert Andrich, who took responsibility for the goal, said after the match: "Now we have to focus on not losing our heads even in difficult situations. That has always made us strong in the past." The Werkself review.
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Werkself TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04's 0-1 loss at Union Berlin on Matchday 23 of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season...
Bayer 04 were beaten 1-0 away at Union Berlin on Matchday 23 in the Bundesliga. Kasper Hjulmand’s side struggled to create clear chances, while the hosts struck the only goal of the game through Rani Khedira in the 28th minute.
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