Hartlepool United Community Sports Foundation have kickstarted a new dementia and Alzheimer’s project for fans, supported by the Premier League Fans Fund.
The Premier League Fans Fund provides grants to support football clubs at all levels of the game to strengthen connections between them, their fans, and local communities. The fund supports a range of fan-focused and fan-led projects, helping to foster a sense of belonging through meaningful engagement.
Hartlepool United Community Sports Foundation (HUCSF) will use the reach and appeal of Hartlepool United to run a dementia/Alzheimer’s project that will run for 48 weeks, two hours per session. The hub will be based in the Centenary Lounge at the Suit Direct Stadium, every Tuesday between 10am to 12pm. Activities will range from chair exercises, arts & craft, board games, quizzes, karaoke, and reminiscence history of Hartlepool United. Each month alternative provisions will be made available to cater for other people’s needs; crown green bowls, snooker/pool, and a walking group to help more active members.
Keith Nobbs, Manager of HUCSF, stated:
“The number of people with dementia and Alzheimer’s is increasing because people are living longer, so staying active and engaged is beneficial for both a person’s physical and cognitive health. Exercise, games, music and art are just a few of the activities proven to be helpful. Our project will help people's wellbeing, confidence and self-esteem. It will also support family, friends and carers, strengthening relationships knowing there is a support mechanism in place.“
Premier League Director of Community, Nick Perchard, added:
“Fans are the lifeblood of football and their commitment to, and involvement with, their local club is essential to the continued success of the game at every level.
“Through the Premier League Fans Fund we are investing in projects that will enhance connections between clubs and fans, whilst also delivering even more community impact. By supporting clubs across England and Wales, from both the men’s and women’s game, to develop projects that respond directly to the needs of their fans, we can help to ensure that football offers a fantastic experience for everyone.”
Premier League funding supports projects that respond to local need, and which aim to improve the matchday environment for fans, address community impact, build upon a club's heritage and engage underrepresented fan groups (disability, ethnicity, LGBTQ+, women and girls).
Delivery is often themed around tackling inequalities to create community cohesion, covering areas like equality, diversity, inclusion, mental health and wellbeing, physical health, providing education and training opportunities, supporting employability and sustainability.
Funding is flexible to empower professional football clubs, and their community organizations, to develop fan-focused and fan-led projects that respond directly to the needs of their local community.
The Premier League Fans Fund is administered through the Premier League Charitable Fund. To find out more about the Premier League Fans Fund, please visit www.premierleague.com/plcf.
For more information about Hartlepool United Community Sports Foundation's project, please email hucsf@hartlepoolunited.co.uk.
