Wolves Foundation are delighted to have secured funding to expand ‘Golden Wolves’, a project supporting older adults and helping fans feel connected to the club and wider community.
Club legend and Foundation honorary patron Steve Bull helped officially launch the new initiative which will enable established groups such as Molineux Memories and Wolves Elders continue to thrive, alongside extending the overall provision for older adults.
Funding has been provided by the Premier League Fans Fund and Wolves Lottery, which will help the Foundation not only continue to deliver a range of sessions at Molineux but also out in the community, including at local care homes.
Jade Sutton, health improvement manager with Wolves Foundation, said: “We are delighted to have secured further investment into our older adults’ provision, which will see existing projects continue to develop as well as creating additional opportunities.
“Wolves Foundation have now been delivering projects to older adults for over a decade in areas including mental health, physical activity and dementia support.
“From our data and insight, we are aware that Wolverhampton’s older population is growing rapidly and becoming more diverse, with demand for free activities for the elderly increasing across the city.
“A high number of older residents are becoming socially isolated with limited interaction with other people, and, as Wolves’ official charity, we are able to use the influence of the club to deliver projects which can help overcome this isolation.
“We can use the power of Wolves to deliver activities in a safe, welcoming and familiar environment, and projects now under the Golden Wolves umbrella, such as Molineux Memories and Wolves Elders, have become hugely important parts of people’s lives.
“Taking Molineux Memories as just one example, this new funding will enable the Foundation not only deliver sessions at Molineux but also reconnect with local care homes and develop new opportunities for adults in the city who may be unable to access the stadium.
“The importance of these activities to older adults in the community cannot be underestimated, and we are hugely appreciative of the support of the Premier League Fans Fund and Wolves Lottery in providing this funding.”
The aim of the Premier League Fans Fund is to strengthen the connection between clubs, fans and local communities, with funding provided to help fans develop a sense of belonging through meaningful engagement.
Premier League director of community Nick Perchard said: “Fans are at the heart of football, and the strong connection between clubs and their supporters plays a vital role in the success of the game and the communities it serves.
“The Premier League Fans Fund is helping clubs strengthen those relationships by supporting projects that respond to the needs and interests of their fans.
“Through investment in initiatives at Premier League, EFL and WSL clubs across England and Wales, the Fund will help create more inclusive, engaging and meaningful opportunities for supporters, while delivering lasting benefits in communities and ensuring football remains a positive experience for all.”
Wolves Foundation were already the primary beneficiary of the Wolves Lottery, and this funding now takes that support to a new level. It means that people playing the Wolves Lottery are not only in with a chance of winning cash prizes but are also supporting the Foundation’s projects in the local community.
Jenny Wilkes, a Board member with Midland Sporting Association Limited who administer the Lottery, attended the launch event alongside fellow Board member Tim Davies and chair Peter Price.
It was a fantastic afternoon ahead of the Wolves/West Bromwich Albion derby with Bully taking Molineux Memories participants through some of his recollections of playing in the game and answering their questions.
“Wolves Foundation deliver so much incredible work across the city, and it has been fantastic that Wolves Lottery are now able to work so closely together to support them,” said Jenny, a lifelong Wolves fan who has also been chair of Wolves Women since 1999.
“We all know how important a football club is to the life of their local community, and this funding from Wolves Lottery and Premier League Fans Fund will such a positive effect on older adults from across the city.
“It was lovely to attend the launch event with a great group of participants and Bully in top form as ever, showing the value of these projects which enable older adults to meet up, socialise and enjoy themselves all thanks to Wolves Foundation.”
Golden Wolves will also feature special celebration events throughout the year such as Remembrance Day and VE Day, whilst also hosting a birthday party in celebration of the club’s 150th anniversary celebrating Wolves’ history and heritage.
