FOUR members of Burton Albion’s Academy and Academy manager Dan Robinson spent Wednesday afternoon visiting the Age UK Burton branch.
Age UK Burton are a charitable organisation, that provide a range of services to benefit people aged 50 and over in Burton and the surrounding area.James Harrison, Joe Brown, Joe Sbarra and Tom Hammerton joined Dan Robinson to help serve the local Age UK Burton members their lunch. As well as serving their lunch, they spoke to the elderly in attendance about their football as well as their lives.
Robinson said: “With our academy vision, we want to develop well rounded players that are good people and one of our initiatives is to do more in the local community. This was a great opportunity for myself and some of the lads to interact with a different demographic to chat about anything and everything and also help a very worthy cause to help Age UK. We will be working closely with our Community Trust which Age UK already work with to grow these relationships.”
Lisa Beard, Chief Officer for Age UK Burton said: “It’s great to see some intergenerational communication with having the lads visit. A lot of people in the group are proud of the rise of the football club and have stories of the past. Some members don’t get the chance to chat to people outside of their visits for lunch to the branch so I am thrilled they enjoyed the company of the young academy lads. Some people are lonely, some people have had sad lives, some brilliant. It’s a chance for them to meet similar people and have a good time over lunch.”
Through Age UK Burton services, they offer vital one-to-one contact and social interaction, with other service users, staff and volunteers.
Age UK Burton provide:
Information and advice on a wide range of subjects.
Drop in service – available daily for refreshments.
Luncheon clubs for older people referred to them from other organisations and sources.
Lunch services that include lunch clubs four times a week and an Open Lunch once a week providing home cooked meals and light refreshments – available to anyone aged 50 and over.
Outings and activities – holidays and day trips.