“As far as my husband and I are concerned, it’s been a lifesaver.”

Those are the words of Carys, who attends Wigan Athletic Community Trust’s Extra Time programme along with her husband, David – an amputee with mixed dementia.

The initiative was originally created by the EFL Trust, with the Latics being one of several Clubs across the EFL to host weekly Extra Time Hubs, which aim to tackle loneliness and social isolation for carers and people aged over 55 years old.

For Carys, 76, and David, 83, the sessions have offered the couple a lifeline. Prior to becoming an Extra Time participant, David had been in and out of hospital regularly until he, unfortunately, had to have his leg amputated and was then diagnosed with mixed dementia.

With Carys taking on the role of being his carer, the pair became increasingly isolated, unable to engage with others socially, as they adjusted to David’s condition and new life in a wheelchair.

But since being referred to programme activator Christine Blundell by a community link worker, the pair have been reinvigorated.

“From the minute we came in, you could sense there was a lovely atmosphere,” Carys explains. “We were greeted by Christine, smiling, and introduced to different people, and we’ve been treated as we hadn’t been for quite some time.

“It’s a highlight of the week for us. We’ve been making friends with people – everybody’s so friendly and can’t do enough to help us.”

Meanwhile, David adds: “All the staff, they’re very helpful. I enjoy myself and I look forward to coming every Tuesday and I feel better for it.

“I’m used to doing things myself and I can’t do them now, so I get a bit frustrated, but I try and let it go and carry on doing what I can and I’m enjoying myself here.”


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