In the shadow of Goodison Park, Everton in the Community is using the love of the club to help fans of all ages improve their mental and physical health.
First-team players Leighton Baines and Tom Davies recently visited Everton's People's Place to see how two initiatives, Stand Together and Active Blues, are having a positive impact on the local community.
The duo first took part in a reminiscence session with elderly participants from Stand Together, which supports people aged 70+ who are at risk of social isolation.
Stand Together launched in 2016 and brings people together to socialise, visit local areas of interest as well as talking about their memories of Everton with the help of club memorabilia.
"This project gives participants an opportunity to get their life back," adds Henry Cooper, Everton's community engagement officer.
Baines and Davies then tried Walking Football with a group from Active Blues, which engages men aged 35-50 in sport.
Active Blues provides weekly physical activity sessions to improve mental health, social interaction and self-help. They also offer routes into volunteering and employment, and help to reduce drug use.
"It's important that we encourage everyone to be more physically active," says Baines. "It creates a positive feeling and makes your general wellbeing - physically and mentally - better and stronger."
