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Gas Girls on call to help tackle loneliness during lockdown
Bristol Rovers Women’s players have been making phone calls to the club’s elderly supporters as part of a project to tackle loneliness among football fans.
Members of the Gas Girls squad have been speaking to Gasheads across the city and also making regular trips to their homes, speaking to fans from a safe distance on what are known as ‘garden gate visits’.
The calls and visits are part of the EFL Trust’s Tackling Loneliness Together project, which have enabled clubs and their community departments such as Bristol Rovers Community Trust to reach out to older fans who may be isolating or suffering with loneliness.
is needed now More than ever
Bristol Rovers Community Trust have made hundreds of calls and dozens of garden gate visits since the project started in 2020.
“Despite the absence of training and matches for nearly three months, Bristol Rovers Women’s remain committed to helping the community and the projects that continue to run at the Community Trust,” a spokesperson said.
Gas Girls vice-captain, Libby Bell (pictured above left), said: “It’s been really nice to be able to reach out to the supporters and I think everyone has been feeling the same.
“It’s been really rewarding. The Trust has been amazing for us so far and we wanted to reach and help them because of the amazing work that they do.”
Despite being unable to train and play during most of the pandemic, the whole Gas Girls squad remains committed to doing what they can to help those in their community.
Gas Girls player Katie Rawlings on the phone to a fan – photo: Bristol Rovers Community Trust
Katie Davies calling a fellow Gashead – photo: Bristol Rovers Community Trust
Jess Lumber (above), Katie and Jess – photo: Bristol Rovers Community Trust
Main photo: Gas Girls striker Georgia Vandries built up a special bond with fan Maureen during a phone call and later went to visit her on person – photo: Bristol Rovers Community Trust
Read more: Gas Girls away shirt becomes part of National Football Museum collection
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