Football has played a vital part in helping communities cope with the stress of the pandemic, and National League Clubs and their charities have been involved in many local initiatives to help alleviate the impact of lockdown and restrictions, continuing to deliver activities and support partners through this difficult time. Over the weekend of the 12 to 14 November, the NLT and the League are celebrating these contributions.

Stockport County Community Trust is the affiliated charity of Stockport County FC. Their aim is to use the local community passion for sport and football, offering a range of programmes and activities to encourage learning and promote healthy lifestyles that will make a real difference to the local community.  

Through this provision they support a variety of groups including children, adults, senior citizens and families across Stockport, Greater Manchester, Tameside, High Peak and Cheshire. By promoting local opportunities with Stockport County Football Club, they want to engage and inspire all generations and support people in the community by offering social inclusion, health and wellbeing, disability and sports participation projects. 

The pandemic has increased the need for support and help in a variety of ways, both from the Club and the Club’s affiliated charity. During August 2021 local children and their parents were offered a free 4-week holiday provision programme for children eligible for free school meals, to support them through the summer holiday period. 

The daily sessions included: 

– Free Play 

– Arts & Crafts 

– Sports Activities 

– Heathy Eating Workshops 

– Stockport County Player Attendance 

The Trust also created a family recipe booklet, with all the recipes designed by SCFC chef Matthew Burke and endorsed by Stockport County players. The booklets have 6 easy, affordable and nutritious meals for families to try, and all attendees were also invited to a Stockport County home fixture in September 2021.  

A short video of the positive impact this project has had was shown during the half time break at the fixture, and can also be found here.