Blackpool FC Community Trust column: Teaming up to beat loneliness

I’ve spoken a lot about how we have changed our delivery during the pandemic and this has been the case for our Extra Time, Sporting Memories, Get Set to Go programmes, our Veterans’ Coffee Mornings and many more.

These provisions normally focus on supporting people in our community to feel less isolated.

There are more than nine million people in this country who find themselves to be lonely often or always.

We’ve found that 17 per cent of older people will go for two weeks without speaking to someone, 11 per cent for more than a month.

These statistics are a great concern to us and in Blackpool we have a great number of people who fall into this category.

We also know that loneliness brings significant risk of other health issues, including heart disease, stroke, falls, depression, Alzheimer’s and sleep problems, which all can result in earlier death.

That’s why this group become a priority for continued support at Blackpool FC Community Trust.

We have delivered a host of provisions throughout the past three months, including online quizzes every Friday evening on Facebook Live.

Our team have developed packs regularly for people to complete at home.

These have included Sporting Memories resources, spot-the-ball activities and many more football-related games for everyone to enjoy.

We have developed a GetSet2Talk programme, which has brought together (virtually) our participants who would normally come together to play football and improve their mental health.

This past week, our group came together for a fancy dress meeting on Zoom and our picture shows some of the interesting costumes.

We have delivered health visits to residents at home, with a friendly face to break up the day.

Our football club directors and first-team players have called many of our fans and season ticket holders to have a chat, and our community engagement officer Dave Marsland has called more than 60 people every week to check on them and have a chat too.

These are all examples of how we have tried to reduce isolation and we plan to enhance this service in both the short-term and long-term.

We hope to announce new provision with partners very soon, which will incorporate an phonec alls, letter-writing and doorstep visits.

We are also planning more virtual social groups and finding ways to develop intergenerational programmes which would see our young people support the elderly through social action.

We have a strong vision in developing new social prescribing techniques to help the community to improve its own health, both mental and physical, and this is an example of being able to utilise the power of the football club brand to focus attention.

We also hope that as restrictions continue to be relaxed we can start to phase back some of our community groups and start to bring people back together safely.

The pandemic has brought significant issues and stress to the organisation, but it has also allowed us time to review and learn new ways to engage our population. We hope to implement new plans and strategies in the coming months.

I’d like to close this week by saying that if you ever feel lonely or know somebody who does, our helpline numbers are below.

There is always somebody available to help and we may also be able to link you to services that can help even further. Call anytime during the week between 8.30am and 5.30pm on 07939446367 or 07939156297. We’re here to chat.

Blackpool FC Community Trust are working with the DM Thomas Foundation for Young People to break down transportation barriers, so all young people can attend activities and courses, regardless of disabilities.

The DM Thomas Foundation last year granted BFCCT £20,250 to purchase a minibus (pictured) with disabled access to support our plans to expand our inclusive provision.

This enables hundreds of disabled children and young people in Blackpool, or those living with a longstanding illness, to improve their physical and mental wellbeing and alleviate feelings of exclusion.

This grant was possible thanks to voluntary fundraising for the DM Thomas Foundation for Young People by Hilton hotels across the UK.

Karen Anderson MBE, ambassador for the DM Thomas Foundation, said: I met with Ashley Hackett, CEO of BFCCT. Although I was aware of the Community Trust, I have never really had insight into exactly how much they do in the community. They do incredible work, so inspiring!

“Blackpool FC is at the very heart of the community, where their Community Trust team are based. They offer a whole range of opportunities and programmes for young people to improve their quality of life through physical activity, educational and employability, health and wellbeing. I had no hesitation in highly recommending this grant, seeing first-hand what they do for young people.”

Simon Sheehan, Director of the DM Thomas Foundation for Young People said: “Through our grants programme we are able to support some amazing local and national youth causes. We have been continually impressed by the work of BFCCT and the specialist support it provides to children with disability.”

Ashley Hackett said: “Being a charity, it’s tough to support everybody in the way that we would like. With the help of the DM Thomas Foundation, we are now able to transport even more young people to and from our sessions who otherwise wouldn’t have been able to attend.”

If you can support BFCCT in any way, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. For more information, visit www.bfcct.co.uk or follow its social media platforms.

Ashley Hackett’s BFCCT column: Page 24