June 7, 2023
In celebration of National Carers Week, Wigan Athletic Community Trust's Extra Time programme in supporting carers and participants aged over 55.
The Extra Time Programme, originally created by the EFL Trust and funded in partnership with Wigan Athletic Supporters Club, hosts weekly Extra Time Hubs at Wigan Youth Zone and Leigh Miners with the aim of tackling loneliness and social isolation amongst our elderly community.
At the hubs, Community Trust staff host activities and games to help participants stay active, keep fit and make new friendships amongst their peers.
Two of those participants are Carys aged 76, and her husband David, aged 83.
Before joining the sessions, David struggled with illness and was in and out of the hospital regularly until he, unfortunately, had to have his leg amputated. Shortly after, David was also diagnosed with mixed dementia.
With Carys taking on the role of his carer, the pair were adjusting to David's condition and his new life in a wheelchair. While dealing with the adjustment, they found themselves increasingly isolated and simply unable to meet new people or engage socially.
That was until they were referred to the Extra Time Programme by a Community Link worker to help them re-engage with the community while also giving carer Carys a chance to relax and unwind while knowing that
David still had support around him.
The pair have become a staple of the Extra Time Hub at Wigan Youth Zone ever since joining their first session. The session has become “the highlight of their week” while enabling them to build new friendships, increase their mobility and gain a new lease on life.
By Wigan Athletic
