“Football really does help pull communities together and COVID-19 has reaffirmed that EFL Trust Clubs have a huge responsibility to make a real difference.”
During COVID-19, Oxford United in the Community have focused on delivering health, fitness and well-being programmes to support those who have been impacted physically, mentally and financially by the pandemic.
Here are some key highlights:
Homework packs
Oxford United in the Community have been engaging with hundreds of youngsters during lockdown via homework packs. They created a special timetable of homework to support parents who are home schooling their children and to inspire youngsters. More than 500 children took part in the programme. The work was designed to encourage youngsters to think, remain healthy and active.
Daily Challenges
Hundreds of youngsters have taken part in daily challenges and shared their activities via video. The daily challenges were designed to support youngsters during lock down to remain fit and active.
Masks
Members of the Oxford United in the Community team joined the Club in helping to distribute over 10,000 face masks to help fans and key workers. Club Manager Karl Robinson also volunteered to pack and despatch masks which were sent to the NHS, local charities, the city and county councils. Additionally, 2,000 masks were sent by post to season ticket holders aged over 55 and some higher risk supporters.
Horrid Henry
Oxford United in the Community teamed up with animated TV star Horrid Henry to help share home-based activity programmes with thousands of families. The collaboration has seen youngsters receive homework packs via Henry Unlocked, a regular lock down podcast.
2.6 Challenge
More than £1,000 was raised via the 2.6 Challenge to help your charity do more in your community. The 2.6 Challenge saw United fans, youngsters on Oxford United in the Community programmes and some Patrons and Trustees take part.
Chris Lowes, Head of Oxford United in the community said:
“We appreciate many people in our community have been impacted in various ways by COVID-19, physically, mentally and financially. As the Club’s charity we have remained committed to supporting as many people as we can throughout the on-going pandemic.
“It has been challenging but we have managed to readjust and deliver some really positive impact. We have focused on delivering health, fitness and well-being programmes designed to keep people active and promote healthy bodies and minds. We have also directly helped with other COVID-19 related activities within the community, including delivering Oxford United face masks to care homes.
“Football really does help pull the communities together and COVID-19 has reaffirmed that EFL Trust Club Community Organisations have a huge responsibility to make a real difference and there have been so many uplifting stories from across the EFL network.
“Oxford United reaching Wembley has given our community an additional big lift at this challenging time and it is another opportunity for the charity to create further ways to engage with people.”
