Retired care worker praises Wigan Athletic's support during lockdown

For many older people across the country, lockdown has proved difficult - especially for those isolating and living alone.

Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, Wigan Athletic have supported those most vulnerable with more than 800 phone calls to check in with older supporters and residents as well as making some 700 household food deliveries.

For Teresa Dexter, the experience has been made slightly easier thanks to the support given to her by staff from Wigan Athletic Community Trust.

A retired care worker, Teresa has been a member of Latics Extra Time Hub - ran at Leigh Miners Welfare Institute - since its launch earlier this year.

With no sessions running, members have enjoyed regular communication with staff including virtual coffee mornings, weekly phone calls and the delivery of 150 goody bags to keep them mentally and physically active at home – something Teresa has really appreciated.

She said: “The support during lockdown has been very, very welcome with the visits and the phone calls.

“It’s been nice as I live alone and we haven’t been able to see much of our families. It was nice to know someone was coming and that someone cared enough to come and chat or phone just for ten minutes, it was something to look forward to.

“A lot of my friends haven’t got mobile phones so I have been at an advantage in being able to use technology and my phone and be able to join in on the Zoom sessions.”

Last year, the EFL Trust launched the Extra Time Hubs movement to engage retired and semi-retired people to combat loneliness and inactivity with Latics running two weekly sessions that have attracted more than 70 members.

The programme has proved a vital part of Teresa’s life following her retirement and provided her with an environment she feels comfortable in.

She said: “The reason I came to Extra Time was isolation and loneliness.

“I found I was always looking for groups where I could feel comfortable.

“I tried several and felt I didn’t fit in because some days I was too quiet and found it difficult to speak to people either through anxiety or depression.

“Nobody knew that I had an issue with mental health which I have had since being a teenager that I have tried to make sure doesn’t stop me.

“At first it was nice to feel a bit anonymous.

“But I felt even on a bad day I could just sit quietly at one of the tables, do a quiz or scrabble which I love to play or even just chatting and that was a nice alternative to doing the activities.

“It’s helped my mental health especially as you get older there aren’t as many things available to do.

“I’ve not got too many friends of my age. If you suffer from these kind of mental health problems sometimes you tend to isolate yourself because you don’t want to go out and face people.

“It was nice to go into a place where there were lots of people of my age. Some with similar problems to me which was nice. It made me feel safe and accepted.

“People at Extra Time don’t ask questions and they take you as you are that day which is nice. “I’m really looking forward to returning to the sessions.”

Launched last month by the EFL Trust and the DCMS (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport), the Tackling Loneliness Together programme will see a number of clubs, including Latics, continue their support for older adults through a number of activities.

Staff from the Community Trust are continuing with regular phone calls as well as providing garden gate visits, socially distanced walks and virtual coffee mornings.

Anyone who knows someone over 55 who would appreciate support or benefit from the service should email [email protected] or phone 07889537140.