Vulnerable adults get support boost after Latics Trust secures National Lottery grant

The Community Trust have been awarded £28,709 to continue their support to vulnerable older members in the community over the next three months.

Since the lockdown was introduced, the Trust has been working closely with a range of community and voluntary sector organisations to deliver over 500 emergency food parcels.

600 phone calls have also been made to Wigan Athletic supporters by the club’s chief executive, first team manager and Community Trust staff to ensure the welfare of supporters and check they have all the support they need.

Staff will also help people keep physically and mentally active by accompanying individuals on socially distanced small walks around the local area, as well as delivering goody bags containing exercises, games and resources to enjoy within their own home.

Head of Community at Wigan Athletic, Tom Flower, said: “We are extremely pleased and grateful to receive the funding from The National Lottery Community Fund.

“We recognise that during the current challenges society faces, we have as important a role as we ever have in ensuring we work with our partners to help our community and those most in need of support.

“The investment will enable us to continue to do this and help hundreds of older members in the community who are at risk of social isolation and loneliness.”

The grant follows the announcement in March that the National Lottery had awarded the Community Trust a grant of £392,457 for its Pathway 2 Participation mentoring programme for children and young people.

This funding is currently enabling Community Trust coaches to provide one to one support to Looked After Children at Wigan Youth Zone on a daily basis in partnership with Wigan Council, and when lockdown eases will see the charity provide support to over 120 young people a year between the ages of 8 and 16.

Duncan Nicholson, Head of Funding for the North West at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “It’s inspiring to hear how Wigan Athletic Community Trust is supporting local people with their physical and mental health during lockdown.

“Thanks to National Lottery funding groups are able to step up to support people and communities through these difficult times.”