NHS and Government thank League and clubs for support

The Premier League and its clubs have been praised by the National Health Service and Government for the support they have provided the NHS and local communities during the coronavirus pandemic.

The work of the League and all 20 clubs is continually evolving to suit the needs of communities and has brought the praise of the National Medical Director of NHS England, Professor Stephen Powis.

'Grateful for support'

"The NHS is facing the greatest health emergency in our history and it has been humbling to see the huge response from all areas of the public to rise to this challenge," Powis said.

"We are grateful for the support we have received from organisations including the Premier League who are helping out at this unprecedented time, reinforcing the crucial message to stay at home and now supporting our NHS staff who are on the frontline tackling this outbreak.

"NHS staff across the board are pulling out all the stops to care for people affected by coronavirus but we cannot do it alone and we must continue to all do our bit to stay at home and save lives."

More detailed information on club support for the NHS can be found here, but the following is a snapshot of their activities:

- Provision of club facilities for medical use and accommodation for NHS staff
- Parking provided for NHS staff and use of club vehicles to transport NHS workers, medicine and food
- Club medical staff supporting or redeployed to the NHS
- Distribution of personal protective equipment to local health services
- Widespread donations to foodbanks
- Donations to charities and emergency funds
- Making telephone calls and offering support to the elderly and vulnerable

Promoting public-health messaging

During these unprecedented times, the overriding priority of the League and clubs is to aid people's health and wellbeing.

The League has also used the reach of its own channels, and those of clubs and advocates, to help ensure the Government's latest public-health messaging reaches as wide an audience as possible.

Examples include support for the "Stay home. Protect the NHS. Save lives" and the NHS "Every Mind Matters" campaigns, with players, managers and other well-known names ensuring the messages reach millions of fans in the UK and around the world. 

This activity has been supported by the Premier League committing £20million for on-the-ground delivery to support the NHS, communities, families and vulnerable groups. This is helping club community organisations across the Premier League and EFL adapt their support to the needs of people most in need during this period.

Donation to NHS Charities Together

Part of this money forms the Premier League's donation to the NHS, through NHS Charities Together, will directly aid the mental health of our amazing NHS frontline workers and their families.

It will also go to broader mental-health charities and others helping to support the most vulnerable in our communities. This funding will be distributed via the BBC Big Night In, a joint initiative between Comic Relief and BBC Children In Need. Join in for their show The Big Night In on BBC One tonight from 19:00 BST.

"I'm delighted that the Premier League is joining up with the BBC's Big Night In to support our hard-working NHS staff and charities," Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said.

"The Government is matching pound for pound what is raised for the Big Night In appeal and I know that the Premier League's donation will also make a big difference.

"We all have a role to play in getting through these uncertain times and I have been inspired by the way that so many clubs and players have stepped up to support their communities."

Wider assistance from clubs

The funding for mental health services is just one element of wider assistance the Premier League and its clubs are providing to support the mental wellbeing of fans and those in their communities.

To further support fans during these difficult times, the Premier League is developing resources to promote positive mental wellbeing.

This library of content will provide fans with expert advice on how to look after their mental health, sharing tips and guidance from the clubs and players as well as from the NHS and national organisations working in these areas. 

League platforms helping

Other Premier League platforms have been repurposed to help fans.

The Premier League Primary Stars website for teachers and schools has been opened up to provide free, curriculum-linked education resources for parents and carers at home.

Clubs have also developed exercise and mental wellbeing resources as part of an array of digital content and online learning for fans of all ages, particularly children and the elderly.

Also in this series

Part 2: 'Premier League donation vital for NHS Charities Together'
Part 3: How our clubs have been helping the NHS
Part 4: #StayWell hub to offer fans help for mental wellbeing