Tracey Crouch, the Minister for Sport, and Loneliness, visited Sevenoaks Town Football Club on Wednesday 25th July to take a look at the new 3G pitch. She was joined by Sir Michael Fallon MP, Sevenoaks Mayor Cllr Roderick Hogarth, Cllr Andrew Eyre and Paul Lansdale – the Sevenoaks FC Chairman, where they discussed the 3G project and funding initiative between Sevenoaks Town Council and the club.
Members of the Sevenoaks Town Powerchair team, who are the mayor’s chosen charity this year, were also in attendance, led by their coach Adam McEvoy. Much to everyone’s delight, they put on a display of their footballing skills and Tracey was extremely keen to listen to both Adam and Paul regarding the infrastructure the club have set-up and the way in which the sport is supported.
Talking exclusively to Sevenoaks Sports magazine about her joint roles in Sport and Loneliness, Tracey said: “There is a massive connection between sport and people who feel lonely, that some people may not understand. Sport can bring communities together and if one person suffering from loneliness can be helped by a community club, then it is working”.
She added: “We [the government] have launched an initiative to bring sport closer to these people, so that they can enjoy the health benefits and social inclusion of sport. Local GP’s are also now offering a Referral scheme, which helps people to make that initial contact”.
The scheme would give the GPs a non-medical referral option so the right type of support can be given to help people who feel isolated to access other services and local groups where people get together and socialise.
The government initiative is a £20 million investment to help tackle loneliness and the funding will support charities and community groups to bring people together. The money will go to support programmes that are proven to benefit individuals and society, and thousands of people will be helped to make connections in their communities.
Tracey continued: “This funding will support charities across the country that are fighting against loneliness. It will help improve people’s lives and create a shared society for the future. I am incredibly grateful to our funding partners for their support. There is no single solution to this issue, but together we will reduce stigma around loneliness and build on Jo Cox’s legacy.”
About Tracey Crouch
Tracey Crouch became the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Sport and Civil Society in June 2017. She was educated at the University of Hull where she studied Law and Politics and was a member of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee from 2012 to 2015. Tracey is a keen sports enthusiast and since ‘retiring’ from playing football has become a FA qualified football coach.
About the Sevenoaks Mayors Fund
The initiative was launched last year to benefit four local charities. The success of the fund enabled the new £450,000 3G Football Pitch to be built for and used by the Sevenoaks Town Football Club. Initially, the intention was to have the Fund operational for one year. However, the Mayor thought the initiative and community benefits too important not to continue.
