Since ceasing physical delivery in response to the ongoing Coronavirus outbreak, Derby County Community Trust have shifted their focus to support their huge network of participants remotely.
The Community Trust worked with over 30,000 participants in 2019, from schoolchildren to residents in care homes. The quality of this work was recognised by the EFL recently naming Derby County as the Midlands Community Club of the Year.
These efforts will continue in order to support the city and county in these tough times.
Aspects of physical delivery have moved online with dedicated home exercise plans for more vulnerable groups, including those recovering from cancer, and a network of support remains in place for all participants.
Schools resources have been adapted for home delivery, teacher qualifications have been delivered through social media and sessions have been replaced with weekly online catch-ups.
Dedicated education provision is being conducted remotely to ensure all learners complete their expected qualifications on time and to the same, high standard as they have proved throughout their courses.
The Community Trust is pledging to remain in contact with over 1,000 of its older or more vulnerable participants throughout the coming weeks.
These include many in the high-risk category who are being advised to sustain an extended period of isolation along with those with mental health or substance misuse issues whose routines are paramount to maintaining positive lifestyles.
Simon Carnall, Head of Community, said: “We knew we had to adapt quickly to continue to support our community. The power of the football club has never been more important in instilling belief and providing much needed positivity.
“From encouraging our followers to stay active to contacting every participant we work with over 60, our staff have reacted brilliantly to this ever-changing landscape.
“It’s vitally important for us to sustain the relationships we have built with every one of our participants, and their feedback has been incredible with over 1,000 of them requesting regular phone calls.
“Community spirit is at the core of everything we do and we are proud to have created a brilliant network of individuals who are adapting with us.
“We remain in a really strong position to support the needs of the local community and are working alongside the local authority to offer our staff and expertise wherever we can.”
For more information on Derby County Community Trust and to get involved with any of their remote activities, please head to derbycountycommunitytrust.com.