Chester FC Community Trust is supporting the coordinated community response to the Covid-19 pandemic and we urge everyone to play their part in keeping our communities safe.

The Community Trust will be promoting key messages and sharing important information on behalf of Cheshire West and Chester Council to help control the spread of coronavirus.

NATIONAL LOCKDOWN

With cases increasing rapidly across the country, a new national lockdown was put in place on 5th January. Cheshire West and Chester Council is urging everyone in the borough to follow the restrictions and stay at home. Find out what you can and can’t do.

VACCINATIONS

Covid-19 vaccinations continue to be rolled out to people most at risk. The NHS will let you know when it’s your turn to have the vaccination so it’s important not to contact it for a vaccination before then. Full details about Covid-19 vaccinations.

HELPLINE

The Council’s dedicated helpline is still available to support vulnerable groups at higher risk from Covid-19. This is available from 8am to 7pm on a Monday to Friday, as well as 9am to 12.30pm on a Saturday. Telephone 0300 123 7031.

TESTING

Local testing sites are available to anyone who has symptoms of Covid-19, including a new continuous cough, a high temperature or a loss or change in your sense of smell or taste. Testing sites in our borough are appointment only. New test appointments are released throughout the day, so – if a test is not available – try again a couple of hours later. To book a test, visit the national portal.

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION

NHS: Coronavirus information and advice

NHS 111 Online: Check if you have coronavirus symptoms

Government: Coronavirus response and guidance

Public Health England: Social distancing guidance

HOME LEARNING

Chester FC Community Trust: Key Stage 1 Education Pack 1

Chester FC Community Trust: Key Stage 1 Education Pack 2

Chester FC Community Trust: Key Stage 2 Education Pack 1

Chester FC Community Trust: Key Stage 2 Education Pack 2

Premier League Primary Stars: Free resources and challenges

BBC Teach: Free daily lessons for homeschooling

BBC Super Movers: Fun resources to get children moving while they learn

KEEPING ACTIVE

The Body Coach: PE with Joe workouts for children

Sport England: Tips, advice and guidance on how to get active at home

The FA: Football related ideas and activities to try at home

SUPPORT SERVICES

Age UK Cheshire: Advice and support for older people

Chapter: Mental health support and advice

MoneyPenny: Money advice service

Open the Door: Advice and support for domestic abuse concerns

Snow Angels: Befriending service and practical support for older people

West Cheshire Foodbank: Emergency food packs for those in crisis

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement of further national lockdown this week, Chester FC Community Trust has now suspended delivery of its activities until restrictions have been lifted.

Although we are unable to deliver sessions and programmes, the Community Trust is committed to continuing to be there for our participants, the Chester FC family and our community in what are challenging and difficult times.

If you or someone you know needs a helping hand, practical support or is feeling isolated, please contact us through community@chesterfc.com or 07512 355396. Whether it is shopping for essentials, collecting prescriptions or a friendly chat over the phone or at the garden gate, we can help.

We will also continue to offer support with PE and sport to schools for children of key workers and vulnerable pupils as well as producing new home learning resources to support families and children who are not able to attend school. If your school would like to access this free support, please email community@chesterfc.com.

The events of 2020 demonstrated the tremendous community spirit that exists in Chester and we have total confidence that our city will again come together to provide support and help those who need it.

We look forward to returning to the things we love as soon as possible but until then please keep safe, stay positive and continue to follow NHS and Government advice.

Chester FC Community Trust is pleased to be resuming delivery of its community activities this week following the end of the national restrictions on 2 December.

With organised outdoor sport permitted across the three tier system of local restrictions, we look forward to restarting a number of sessions before Christmas with further activities to resume in the New Year.

Chester FC Goalkeeping Academy will restart at Ellesmere Port Sports Village on Wednesday 2 December.

Chester FC Mental Health & Wellbeing Football will restart at Goals Soccer Centre on Thursday 3 December and at Ellesmere Port Sports Village on Tuesday 8 December.

Chester FC Walking Football will restart at Goals Soccer Centre on Wednesday 9 December.

Further updates regarding the restart of other sessions will be released over the next few days.

Chester FC Community Trust is committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of everyone who attends our sessions. All activities will be planned and delivered in line with the latest Government and FA guidance with additional measures and procedures in place for your safety. This includes collecting and storing the names and contact information of participants for NHS Test and Trace purposes.

For more information about any of our sessions or to register contact 07512 355396 or email community@chesterfc.com.

This week Chester FC Community Trust is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the Premier League Charitable Fund (PLCF).

Over the last decade, the PLCF has provided investment and support to football clubs across the pyramid, helping them create lasting change in their communities.

Chester FC is one of 110 professional football clubs across the Premier League, EFL and National League to benefit from this assistance, helping us to deliver a range of projects and activities in our community.

Jim Green, CEO of the Community Trust, said: “Congratulations to the Premier League Charitable Fund on reaching this landmark and, on behalf of everyone at Chester FC, thank you for the support you have given us.

“The funding we have received has been vital to our growth and success, enabling us to engage and inspire young people locally to learn, be active and achieve.”

For more information on the Premier League programmes provided by Chester FC Community Trust please email community@chesterfc.com.

Amazon Black Friday Week starts this Friday 20 November and you can raise money for Chester FC Community Trust every time you shop at no extra cost.

Amazon Smile donates to the Community Trust for each purchase you make when you shop at smile.amazon.co.uk or with Amazon Smile turned on in the Amazon shopping app.

With big Black Friday discounts and great deals available until Monday 30 November, this is a quick and easy way to support the work of the Community Trust.

Remember to make sure you have registered Chester FC Community Trust as your chosen Amazon Smile charity and if you’re using the Amazon app, don’t forget to turn on Amazon Smile in the settings.

Click here to read the FAQs and guide to using Amazon Smile to support the Community Trust

The Football Association PE Unit is hosting two free teacher CPD events for primary school teachers and those delivering PE in school.

Previous feedback on these events has been extremley positive and they normally provide lots of ideas to enhance PE provision within your school.

There are two ‘Big Marker’ webinar events planned prior to Christmas to meet demand while delivery of face-to-face support is not possible. Both events are one hour in duration.

PE Priorities for 2020/21 – Part 1: Shifting your focus
Thursday 26th November 4pm

https://www.bigmarker.com/the-football-association/PE-Priorities-for-2020-21-Part-1-Shifting-your-focus-f3a51df68c6020eaf7398071

PE Priorities for 2020/21 – Part 2: Case Studies
Thursday 10th December 4pm

https://www.bigmarker.com/the-football-association/PE-Priorities-for-2020-21-Part-2-Case-Studies-f4dc17ed238b81453cc387db

If you would like to attend, please register using the above links. If you need any support with this please email community@chesterfc.com and we will be happy to help.

If you have any other ideas about how Chester FC Community Trust can support your school or any questions about our organisation, please contact email jim.green@chesterfc.com.

Chester FC Community Trust is backing Active Cheshire’s #MyMountain campaign, which aims to inspire local women to get more active.

Active Cheshire want women to share videos, photos and comments about their physical activity ‘mountains’. This will be personal to everyone. It could be climbing Kilimanjaro, or going for more walks, completing Couch to 5k or even finding time in a busy schedule to do some yoga.

The Community Trust supports women and girls to be active through Chester FC Women, its girls’ football programmes and its work with local schools, and encourages our participants to take part in the #MyMountain campaign.

According to Public Health England, one in four women across England are classed as physically inactive and almost 50% of women are not active enough for good health, meaning they are active for less than 30 minutes a week.

Active Cheshire understand how hard it can be to increase activity levels, especially during winter months – nevermind in the middle of a global pandemic – and hope #MyMountain will also provide a support network for local women, empowering each other and celebrating each other’s achievements.

Linked to the campaign, Active Cheshire has offered three local women from areas of high inactivity the opportunity of a lifetime and sponsored them to climb Kilimanjaro, showing women and girls everywhere that they can achieve anything they put their mind to.

To get involved in the campaign, tag @ActiveCheshire in your post, photo or video about your physical activity ‘mountain’ and use the #MyMountain hashtag.

For more information about the #MyMountain campaign, click here.

Chester FC and Chester FC Community Trust are asking supporters to help tackle the growing issue of food poverty in the countdown to Christmas.
 
Each year the club collects donations for families and individuals in crisis within our community. Donated items will be given to West Cheshire Foodbank and two local organisations established in response to COVID-19: Crossroads Community Hub in Hoole and Blacon Beacon, ensuring they reach those most in need.
 
The unprecedented impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the economy and our society means more people find themselves in financial crisis and struggling to feed their families.
 
Fans wishing to donate items to this year’s foodbank collection will be able to do so on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 11am and 1pm while national restrictions remain in place.
 
A drop-off station allowing contactless donations will be available at the Blues Bar entrance during these times.
 
Once restrictions have been lifted and the Blues Bar community cafe has reopened, donations can be made between 9am and 2pm on weekdays.
 
Donations are welcome from fans and the wider community and a list of requested can be found below.
 
Adam Langan, director of Chester FC and Project Coordinator at Crossroads Community Hub, said: “Sadly, demand is increasing as furlough comes to an end, families and individuals who have never accessed anything like this before are needing help. The generosity of the people and businesses of Chester has already blown me away and I know Chester fans will be happy to help.”
 
Requested items needed most are corned beef, tuna, biscuits, Christmas treats, crisps, meatballs, tea bags, coffee, Pot Noodles and pasta sauces (non-tomato).
 
The following items are also welcome: toiletries, dog food, nappies (size 3 or 4), UHT milk, UHT juice, cereal, tinned custard, curry sauce, jams, cup soup, instant mash, tinned vegetables, tinned tomatoes, tinned fruit, spreads, rice pudding and Christmas pudding (no alcohol content).
 
For further information or to arrange making a donation to the club’s collection outside of the times listed above email community@chesterfc.com.

During October half-term, Chester FC Community Trust welcomed 120 children to the Deva Stadium for a Chester FC Soccer School.

 

Delivered in line with Government guidance, the holiday club gave youngsters the opportunity to get active and play football with qualified coaches in a Covid-safe environment. Additional measures in place included temperature checks, regular handwashing, sanitising of equipment and children grouped in bubbles.

 

The week included a goalkeeper session with Chester FC keeper Louis Gray and coaching from Blues players George Waring and Harrison Burke.

 

For the first time the Community Trust was able to offer subsidised places for children eligible for free school meals and provide them with a healthy lunch thanks to a grant from the Welcome Network.

 

 

Jim Green, CEO of the Community Trust, said: “We had a fantastic week and it was great to see children playing at the Deva, having fun and keeping active in the school holidays.

 

“Activities like this are hugely important for children’s physical and mental health, and we are grateful to Chester FC and our partners whose support enables us to offer this holiday provision.

 

“We are really pleased to be working with the Welcome Network to help families who access free school meals with 45 children taking up subsidised places and will be looking to develop this partnership further moving forwards.”

 

The Community Trust is now planning its holiday provision for the Christmas break and, subject to national restrictions, hopes to announce details in the near future.