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�������� Clubs and their respective Club Community Organisations (CCOs) have always been, and remain, at the heart of their communities, and their importance to the daily lives of so many people cannot be underestimated. That has been reflected in the outstanding collective efforts that have been made in supporting the response to coronavirus so far.

In the midst of the unprecedented and, quite clearly, challenging set of circumstances brought about by the outbreak of COVID-19, Clubs came together to collectively show that even when there are no fixtures, Football remains at the heart of the community and never went away.

With 36.6million people in England and Wales living within a 10-mile radius of an �������� Club – a radius that encompasses four in 10 residents who fall into the most-deprived population groups – never has this work been more important.

Club Community Organisations were quick to co-ordinate activities with their local authorities, with vulnerable community members and safety at the forefront of their thinking and response.

Over 215,000 food parcels have been delivered across the network, including an extra 26,000 Easter eggs and treats to NHS staff and vulnerable adults and children. As one-to-one contact moved online or via telephone, over 120,000 calls were made with fans, the elderly or vulnerable by �������� Clubs.

And as the Government called on the public to ease the burden on the National Health Service, at least 30 Clubs opened their doors to key workers, offering space and facilities in stadia for testing and accommodation. In addition, Clubs have delivered over 13,000 items of PPE equipment and 3,500 prescriptions.

In the absence of fixtures and training sessions, football’s players put their role-model status to good use, and made an incredible impact in their respective local communities. Instead of delivering goals, some delivered food parcels, while others made vital phone calls instead of tackles, all for the benefit of those most vulnerable members of society.

And, as the nationwide lockdown was extended, the CCO network adapted to ensure people could remain healthy, active and connected.

�������� Clubs and CCOs are delivering outstanding work across the country every hour of every day and will continue to do so. They are also providing a significant service to their local authorities, many of whom turned to their Clubs in the early weeks of the pandemic. Alongside this, the Clubs and charities are finding innovative new ways to fund raise to support their fans, councils and local charities. The adaptation of our CCOs has been phenomenal and will continue to evolve to meet the needs of our �������� communities. From the outset of our response, the safety of our communities and our Clubs has remained paramount and adherence to Government advice has been at the heart of our delivery.

“Suddenly not being able to be involved with the group could have had a big impact on their well-being or mental health.”

To conclude Loneliness Awareness Week and the one year anniversary of our Extra Time Hubs, we take a look at how our Club Community Organisations have continued to provide support to a vulnerable section of society throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

A recent study from the Office National Statistics (ONS) showed that 2.6 million adults reported that they felt lonely often and 7.4 million adults reported their well-being had been affected through their having felt lonely in the past seven days.  Funded with the support of Sport England’s Active Ageing fund from the National Lottery, hundreds of people have joined the Extra Time hubs which are run at 11 �������� Clubs. For people like Tony, who attends Derby County’s Extra Time Hubs, they have helped forge new friendship and combat loneliness. 

Tony says: “My life is now full of activity and I now have more friends than I have ever had before. The support and camaraderie of the friends I have met through the Hubs has been vitally important in giving me and others in the group back our self-esteem and confidence.”

However as Tony explains the COVID-19 restrictions suddenly meant that the groups could no longer meet in person and threatened the new found friendships.

He added: “I can’t believe how much my life has turned around and I wanted to make sure that even if we can’t meet physically, we didn’t lose what we’ve got.”

Andy who attends Bolton’s Hub felt the same, he says: “As members rely on the weekly routine attending and meeting the group, I feel that suddenly not being able to be involved with the group could have had a big impact on their well-being or mental health.”  

However as Andy outlines Bolton Wanderers were quick to act, “The Wanderers staff saw straight away the need to seek ways of keeping everyone connected. They arranged for contact to continue by the way of a simple telephone call or a text message. Then they created a WhatsApp group for its members and then a Zoom group for meetings and general communication giving the Extra Time group an opportunity to be involved on line.”

This process was repeated across all the Hubs with Clubs and CCOs also making doorstep visits to check in on community members across the country.  

Working with the team at Derby County’s Community Trust (DCCT), Tony has been instrumental in ensuring that all Hub members stay connected. 

Luke Wilkinson, DCCT’s Extra Time Hub Coordinator, says: “Since moving our Extra Time Hubs online in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic, initial worries about the accessibility of technology and ensuring all our members were able to keep in touch with ourselves and each other were helped by Tony’s input. He talked other members through the process of getting involved and since then, we haven’t had less than 30 individuals and couples at each weekly session going virtual. At this week’s session we had 45 households on the call!”

Tony explains: “There was a point in my mid-sixties when I found myself living alone and was, at times, very lonely. It was then that I realised how important social media was in staying connected. Having had this experience, when lockdown became inevitable I wanted to try to use the positive potential of social media to make sure we didn’t lose the links and friendships we had forged during the past year at the Extra Time Hubs.”

Whilst not quite the same as meeting in person, technology has kept people’s spirits up.

Stella who attends Bolton’s Hub, says: “I can honestly say that when we did the first Extra Time Hubs Zoom I think it was the first time that I had laughed so much since the lockdown started. I have contact with family but they have busy lives. It’s so nice seeing everyone after so long. Thank you for keeping in touch!”

However we’ll leave the last word for what keeping in touch during Covid-19 has meant to the members of Crawley Town’ Extra Time Hubs…  

“It’s very inclusive we have one member who uses a mobility scooter, which didn’t stop him being a goalie. With two of us in goal defending shots, we had a great time!“

As part of Loneliness Awareness Week, we are celebrating the one year anniversary of Extra Time Hubs and highlighting stories of individuals whose lives have been positively impacted from the project.  The Hubs have been made possible with thanks to the support of Sport England’s Active Ageing fund from the National Lottery.

A key part of the Extra Time Hubs is that members of the Hub set their own agenda they decide what they want to do and nothing is off limits from bowls to bungee jumps, playing cards to playing ukulele.  Crucial to making this happen is the role of ‘motivator.’ These are members of the hub that take a lead role in the organisation or coordination of a particular activity.  

Mary is a motivator at Sunderland AFC’s Extra Time Hub. She talks about her experience:

“I found out about the Extra Time Hub in The Echo and at the Senior Supporters meeting. As an avid Sunderland supporter, I thought I’d go along to the Beacon and see what it was like – I’m so glad I did!����

“Straight away it was different from other activities as we were asked what we wanted to do. From the start they were aware of people’s varying needs and abilities and endeavors to ensure we all are catered for in a supportive way.

“It’s very inclusive – we have one member who uses a mobility scooter, which didn’t stop him being a goalie. With two of us in goal defending shots we had a great time!

“One of the biggest things I’ve got out of being in the group is meeting new people, trying different activities, enjoying various sporting activities and most of all having a laugh and a bit of fun.

“Former Black Cats players Kevin Ball and Gary Bennett came to talk to us, which was interesting. Gary even took time to come to one of our cookery demos. I was really impressed that he went round and talked to everyone. Jimmy’s Ministry of Food demonstrations are always fun, well thought out and encourages us to be healthy. You’re never too old to learn! Though I’ve still not quite conquered the modern oven yet – the Aga at home, which is older than me, is always on!

“It’s great having a variety of activities in the sports hall and everybody just mucks in. We encourage each other to have a go and love having a kick around. Our first hour is have a drink and a chat and then recently we do seated exercises which, I have to admit, some of us thought might be a bit easy but we soon changed our minds!

“We’ve had various quizzes, played bingo and are planning a games day when we can’t have access to a sports hall. We did find the ukulele challenging but the teacher was so patient a really lovely man. Think of Eric Morecambe playing all the right notes just not necessarily in the right order! Most of us knew where our fingers needed to be it was just getting them there in time that was the problem! We certainly laughed a lot.

“Pickle ball was another new activity which was very enjoyable though we preferred just playing without rules! It’s not that we’re rebels we just want to keep hitting the ball back, whether it’s not where it should be or not doesn’t really matter. It’s the same with table tennis which most people enjoy. We don’t bother scoring just keep returning the ball sometimes from the floor!

“I was lucky enough to spot boxing pads and gloves in store cupboard and now they’re out every week, which I thoroughly enjoy.

“We are still getting new members, one from walking football for cancer patients, two new members heard from somebody at their knit and natter group and a couple from another at The Senior Supporters. Whenever anybody new appears everybody makes them welcome. If anyone misses a week, staff show concern and ask if any one knows why before following up.

“However the thing that springs to mind when thinking of any activity is the laughter and fun we always have. The group continues to evolve and I’m sure we’ll have other new activities in the future. Everybody’s is listened to and their opinion is valued.

“I thoroughly recommend it and it’s such a bonus to be linked with Sunderland A.F.C.”

When Plymouth Argyle fan Roger tragically lost his wife at the beginning of lockdown. Argyle Community Trust’s Extra Time Hub stepped in to help Roger through this difficult time.  ����

Emma Potter, Argyle Health and disability officer takes up the story.  “Roger is a loyal Pilgrims season ticket holder and his son contacted us to see if there was any support out there for his father. He explained that not only has his dad suffered a terrible bereavement but because of his own health he was now having to self-isolate alone for 12 weeks.”���� 

Argyle Community Trust made contact with Roger to talk about their Extra Time Hub and what that could offer him, not only during COVID-19 but specifically during this difficult time for him.

Emma continues, “The �������� Trust Extra Time Hubs are designed for people like Roger who are retired or semi-retired. The hubs use the power of their local football clubs to combat both loneliness and inactivity.”

Roger explained that as his wife’s passing had come very suddenly. They had prepared for the next 12 weeks together and he was struggling to come to terms with her not being around and just wasn’t sure how he was going to cope. 

Emma adds “With his son living away from Plymouth, a support network would be vital for Roger. We established from the initial phone calls that Roger had a good support network which would enable him to receive food and prescriptions. However what he really needed from the Hub was to have someone to talk to, some emotional support and a number he could call if he needed to speak with someone, or if he had a problem.”

Throughout the period of lockdown the Extra Time Hub has supported Roger with 2 phone calls each week, Emma continues, “He talks a lot about his late wife and family. We listen to Roger when he has been feeling down and offer support where needed. This was particularly important at the time leading up to his wife’s funeral. Tragically Roger was not able to attend because he still had to shield, which was extremely hard for Roger. However, with the support from his family and the Extra Time Hub we were able to get through this. Although there have been lots of tears, there have also been lots of laughter and memories of happier times as we’ve reminisced about good days past with his beloved wife.”

The chats with Roger highlighted how big his love for Plymouth Argyle is, so the Community Trust arranged for the Chairman Simon Hallett and First Team coach Kevin Nancekivell to give Roger a call, to talk about all things Green Army.

Emma says, “Roger was overwhelmed by this and said ‘This meant the world to him’ and he’s looking forward to returning to Home Park and shaking their hands in person.”

The calls have continued and now that lockdown restrictions have lessened, a member of staff now makes socially distanced visits to Roger to chat in person.

Emma explains that: “This puts a face to the name and makes all the difference.  We have also been able to provide Roger with some exercises to do, which he has been doing daily and he is always eager to report that he has completed them.”

Argyle’s support has also helped Roger’s family. Recently his son contacted the Trust to say  a ‘ big thank you’  and explain how the help and support provided ‘have been a real comfort to me,  Dad always talks about your visits, help and chats, they lift his mood and spirits and make him happy as well as more importantly helping with his mental well-being’.

Emma concludes: “It has been a particularly difficult time for Roger, due to the terrible loss as well as the isolation from not only his family and friends but also from his beloved football.

“However the impact and support that the Extra Time Hub has been able to offer by having someone checking in, being a listening ear and also being that connection to the football club that he loves has been a lifeline.

“There has been a noticeable difference in Rogers mood, he appears more positive and seems to be having more good days now then bad. He is now looking forward to getting back to Home Park and joining in with our Extra Time Hub in person when allowed to do so.”

�������� Trust’s Extra Time Hub sessions are delivered by 11 �������� Clubs and are designed for those aged 55 with support from National Lottery funding from Sport England. Find a hub near you. 

Whilst loneliness can be experienced by anyone at any stage of their life, it is often older people who find constant loneliness hardest to overcome and they lack the friendship and support we all need.

 ‘’When my wife and I retired we missed being part of the community. Extra Time Hubs was exactly what we were looking for.” Says Andy who has been a regular at Bolton Wanderers Extra Time Hub this year. 

�������� Trust’s Extra Time Hub sessions are delivered by 11 �������� Clubs and are designed for those aged 55. With support from National Lottery funding from Sport England the Hubs are designed to engage retired and semi-retired people by harnessing the power of their local football clubs and to combat both loneliness and inactivity.

Andy continued: “In the last 12 months both myself and my wife have recently retired from full time employment.  Both being supporters & season ticket holders at Bolton Wanderers on attending a football match we saw an advertisement for the Extra Time Hub at the Club.”

“We both had difficult jobs within the Police and the NHS respectively which involved a lot of interaction & communication with members of the public & the community. Having retired, suddenly we both found that we missed being part of the community. “

“We made enquires and found that the BWFC Extra Time Hub was what we were looking for, apprehensively we attended our first group meeting.  We meet people who we didn’t know, who we have never seen or spoken too before. But enjoyed what this new group had to offer. “

“We soon found that within the group there were a number of like-minded people who had a passion or interest in BWFC.  Within the group we found singles, married couples a mixture of people with very different interests & backgrounds, but they had the same aim to befriend like-minded people.”

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the BWFC Hub have not physically been able to get together.  Andy believes that some of the members were dependent or relied on the weekly communication and contact with the group, would have really struggled have the Community Trust not quickly made plans to say in touch.����

He says: “As members rely on the weekly routine attending and meeting the group. I feel that suddenly not being able to be involved with the group could have had some impact on their well-being or mental health due to the lockdown, self-isolation or shielding.

“Having to stop all social interaction, the Wanderers staff saw straight away the need to seek ways of keeping everyone connected.

“They arranged for contact to continue by the way of a simple telephone call or a text message. Then they created a Whatsapp group for its members and a Zoom group for meetings and general communication giving the Extra Time Hubs group an opportunity to be involved online.”

The regular phone call, a text message, a WhatsApp quiz or zoom communication that the BWFC CT has organised to its members of the different groups has ensured that they are not alone or isolated, the regular contact has ensured that everyone has a daily contact.

Something another member of the group Stella, really appreciates. “I honestly say that when we did the first Extra Time Hubs Zoom I think it was the first time that I had laughed so much since the lockdown started I have contact with family but they have busy lives. It’s so nice seeing everyone after so long thank you for keeping in touch.”

This is a view also shared by married couple Kathleen and Mick who say: “The Zoom session is our highlight of the week and the only time that we really ‘see’ people to have a laugh with.

“I know we are a couple but we can’t see our family and grandchildren although we talk on the phone and WhatsApp.

“The Extra Time Hubs Whatsapp group and Zoom session makes us feel as though we have contact with other like-minded people and gives us something to talk about apart from ‘what’s on the telly’.”