Coronavirus: Clubs help tackle social isolation

Premier League clubs are making phone calls to ensure their supporters know they are not alone.

As the public observe the Government's social-distancing measures and stay at home during the coronavirus pandemic, people in vulnerable groups can become isolated.

With no-one to visit them, elderly people, or those with underlying health conditions who are particularly at risk from the virus, could feel increasingly lonely.

Here is what Premier League teams are doing to tackle isolation in their local communities.

AFC Bournemouth

Club reaching out to at-risk fans (Full story)
Players and staff help make nearly 3,000 calls to supporters (Full story)

Arsenal

Social inclusion staff in regular contact with vulnerable young people (Full story)
Mertesacker sends message to young fan hospitalised with COVID-19 (watch)

Aston Villa

Phone calls made to vulnerable locals (More)
Club ambassador Taylor checks up on fans aged over 80 (More)

Brighton & Hove Albion

Cancer patients helped by online activity programme (Full story)
Staff and players to check in on elderly supporters by phone (Full story)

Burnley

FIFA20 tournament organised for PL Kicks participants (Full story)
Clarets players pick up the phone to help keep spirits raised (Full story)
Ben Mee checks in (watch on Facebook)
Head of health and wellbeing explains how her team are helping seniors (watch on Twitter)
Phone calls to Extra Time participants (More)

Chelsea

Former players helping club stay connected with older fans (Full story)
Mason Mount video-calls Blues fan Maureen (Full story)

Crystal Palace

Palace Pad Chat takes mentoring online (Full story)
Season-ticket holders over age of 70 contacted and offered support (More on Twitter)
Tips for maintaining your mental health during isolation (Full story)

Everton

Everton's Blue Family reaches out to ex-players and managers (Full story)
Carlo Ancelotti calls isolated fan with motor neurone disease (Full story)
Duncan Ferguson surprises a mum who could not see her family on Mother's Day (watch on Twitter)
Mason Holgate discusses Blues legends with 92-year-old Evertonian (Full story)
Michael Keane shares dressing-room insight with supporter (Full story)
Seamus Coleman makes surprise call to army veteran (Full story)
Club call oldest member of their Veterans Hub (More)
Everton champion therapy service for people with mental health problems (Full story)

Leicester City

Postcards sent to participants of scheme tackling dementia and loneliness (More)
Club ambassador Alan Birchenall calling older fans (Full story)

Liverpool

Robertson connects with LFC Foundation and Red Neighbours members (Full story)
Phone calls and "virtual cuppa" with isolated fans (Full story)
Supporters' clubs ensure members stay connected (Full story)
Van Dijk makes surprise video call to Reds supporter (Watch)

Manchester City

Gundogan makes video call to supporter (More)
Phone calls to vulnerable groups and supporters over 65
Phone mentoring for vulnerable young people

Manchester United

Legends reach out to elderly fans (Full story)
Calls to all over-70s season-ticket holders
Engagement plans for vulnerable young people

Newcastle United

Almost 2,000 fan phone calls made to combat loneliness (Full story)
Club calling 988 elderly and vulnerable supporters (Full story)

Norwich City

Fan leaflet offers support for vulnerable (Full story)
7,000+ calls made to over-60s and vulnerable participants
Staff collect and deliver food for vulnerable (Full story) (More)
Club deliver food parcels to people in sheltered housing (More)

Sheffield United

Club ambassador Tony Currie making phone calls and video messages (Full story)

Southampton

Saints Foundation launches helpline (Full story)
Isolated and vulnerable project participants contacted (Full story)
Club expand call service to supporters (Full story)
FIFA competition for young people

Tottenham Hotspur

Foundation staff being trained to make calls to the vulnerable (Full story)
Vertonghen calls fan celebrating 80th birthday at home (watch)
Tanganga makes video call to check in with PL Kicks participants (watch)
Support online for vulnerable young
Supporters Trust offer assistance to fans aged over 70
Club ambassador Mabbutt reaching out to elderly fans (More)

Watford

Players and manager phone isolated fans (Full story)
Friends Afar scheme connects supporters worldwide
Community Trust keeping in touch with participants on the phone (Full story)
Letters from partner school pupils distributed to Golden Memories members (More)
Cup cakes and newspapers sent to care home staff and residents (Full story)

West Ham United

Players help with call system for "Any Old Irons" (Full story)
Declan Rice calls Any Old Irons member (More on Twitter)
Moyes calls 86-year-old fan after her recovery from coronavirus (watch)
Online Facebook forums to connect with most vulnerable fans
Mental health tips from West Ham United Foundation (Full story)
Zabaleta makes video call to hospitalised supporter (watch)

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Wolves Wishes provides birthday messages for people unable to celebrate with family (More)
Club legend Steve Bull calls older fan (More)
"Wolves at Home" to keep in touch with vulnerable (Full story)
More than 2,000 fans reached by club (Full story)
Online support for vulnerable participants
FIFA competition for young people
Wolves Foundation Pen Pal letter goes viral (Full story)
"Check in and chat" sessions for lonely and isolated people (More)