Using the power of football clubs in local communities to help bring people together and in line with Loneliness Awareness Week, 12 EFL Clubs across the country launched their Extra Time Hubs last week.
On Friday 21st June, Crawley Town Community Foundation, as one of the selected 12 EFL Clubs, successfully launched their Extra Time Hub at the People’s Pension Stadium.
Extra Time Hubs is a national project designed to engage retired and semi-retired individuals over 55 and to provide the opportunity for people to meet like-minded people, while socialising and participating in a variety of activities to improve their health and well-being as well as combatting loneliness and isolation.
The programme is funded with the support Sport England’s Active Aging fund from the National Lottery, as well as the EFL Trust.
The launch attracted record breaking numbers for our Extra Time Hubs, with 25 participants attending the launch to take part in a variety of activities, designed to increase activity and provide opportunities to socialise.
Organisations including Crawley Wellbeing, Prescription Plus, Age UK and Carers Support came along to introduce to participants what other opportunities Crawley has to offer as part of an inclusive support system within the area.
As part of the launch the Foundation was delighted to receive a visit from the Mayor & Mayoress of Crawley Councillor Raj & Mrs Bhavna Sharma, who attended the session to meet participants and to find out about the Foundation’s work within the community.
The launch started with participants accessing the Extra Time Hub in the Mayo Wynne Baxter Suite for the activities, as well as having the chance to socialise with tea and cake.
At 12pm, the participants had the opportunity to take part in some outdoor activities including Walking Football and a Wellbeing Walk around the pitch.
An hour is allowed for this part of the session, but the participants determine how much and long they can do and at a pace comfortable for them.
All sessions have the needs and levels of the participants in mind, and we allow all of the participants to have a say in the activities on offer each week.
The Foundation BTEC students also joined in with the participants and the launch, which gave them some good experiences as well as some positive inter-generational activities and interaction.
The Crawley Town Extra Time Hub offers a varied programme of social and physical activities each week.
It caters for all abilities and is open to everyone over the age of 55, with the first session being FREE.
So come down and join in this week and every Friday between 11.30am – 1.30pm.
To find out more information on Extra Time Hubs - https://www.ctcommunityfoundation.com/community-development-1
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