Brentford are calling on schoolchildren to pick up their pens and paper in support of elderly and vulnerable supporters across West London.
As part of Loneliness Awareness Week, primary school pupils will write to those who may be self-isolating or feeling lonely due to the coronavirus pandemic.
With an estimated 2.2m elderly or vulnerable people currently shielding in the UK, the Connecting Generations initiative aims to improve youngsters’ literacy skills while simultaneously supporting older Brentford fans who might be feeling socially isolated.
The intergenerational scheme is in partnership with the Premier League’s Primary Stars project, which normally delivers PE and PSHE lessons to a number of schools across the borough.
Yet with the backing of footballing legends Michael Owen and Dion Dublin, this initiative is aimed at unlocking hundreds of pupils’ creative potential instead.
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On the scheme, Calum McHardy, the Premier League’s Primary Stars Co-ordinator at Brentford FC Community Sports Trust, said: “Through this initiative, I hope that different generations of the Bees community are able to share their experiences of the COVID-19 lockdown with one another.
“The importance of communicating and being connected with somebody during this time of adversity is massively important for everyone’s mental wellbeing.”
Cliff Crown, Chairman of Brentford FC, added: “A number of us on the Board as well as our CEO Jon Varney, have been in touch by telephone with our older fans during the past few months.
“We have had some great conversations with them, listening to their memories and stories and we all really enjoyed it.
“I am delighted to see this initiative from our Community Sports Trust that will link young and old fans. It is a great idea and will benefit all.”