Wigan’s aspiring young footballers have had a leg-up in realising their sporting dreams as local home care operator, Belong at Home Wigan, provides a welcome assist with a sponsorship deal this season.

Royal blue and white kits of Hindley Juniors FC’s Under 10s Panthers & Lions are now adorned with Belong at Home’s new logo, with a person-centred tree aptly symbolising people at the heart of their communities.

The domiciliary care arm of the not-for-profit dementia specialist, Belong, operates from the care village in neighbouring Platt Bridge, with its teams supporting older people in and around the area to continue to live independently in their own homes. The friendly team visits customers to help with one-to-one personal care, housekeeping, food preparation, as well as running errands, helping with excursions and offering companionship.

Independently verified customer reviews recently rated the service 9.8 out of 10
Independently verified customer reviews recently rated the service 9.8 out of 10

Expressing their gratitude, the club said on social media: “Thank you for your support and sponsorship, Belong at Home. We couldn’t give so many opportunities for kids to play football without the support of our sponsors.”

Sophie Walls, area manager at Belong at Home Wigan, commented: “We’re thrilled to be sponsoring Hindley Juniors, this year. Many of our customers have grandchildren who play in local teams, and we know how important it is to them to keep their younger loved ones spending their weekends out on the pitch.

“Looking after others is very much what we’re all about and this extends to the community, and we’re making sure our customers can attend matches and cheer the team on – go Panthers and Lions!”

Belong at Home supports customers in making happy memories, including meeting with the Wigan Warriors rugby league club
Belong at Home supports customers in making happy memories, including meeting with the Wigan Warriors rugby league club

The news comes as Belong at Home was recently named top of the country’s Large & Mid-size Home Care Groups 2023, a result based on feedback from clients and families on the independent reviews website, Homecare.co.uk. The organisation is the only not-for-profit service in the country to have won the award every year since 2018.

Amongst a number of positive comments, one daughter of a client reviewed: “All the staff are caring, friendly and professional and have provided excellent support for Mum who has mixed dementia.”

Another said: “They are very well trained and have proved to be totally dependable, flexible to our changing needs and always willing to go the extra mile.”

Last month, Chanters House, a wing in sister care village, Belong Atherton, was crowned Dignity Champion winners at the Wigan & Leigh Hospice Wigan Borough Palliative and End of Life Care Awards, whilst colleague Elisha Smith took home Support Worker of the Year.

To find out more or to get in touch with Belong at Home, visit the website at: belong.org.uk.