Signposting from the LFC Foundation for those struggling after the Champions League final chaos has stepped up ahead of the Liverpool's first game at Anfield next week.
Liverpool are set to take on Crystal Palace at Anfield on Monday, August 15. The match will be the first time many fans have been inside a stadium since the dangerous and upsetting scenes that unfolded at the Stade de France, May 28, that left many injured, upset and scarred.
The independent charity does a number of things to help people in the community but it is ramping up its signposting of specialist services that people who were directly and indirectly affected by the scenes before, during and after the match can access. Speaking to the ECHO, LFC Foundation CEO Matt Parish said they have increased the visibility of available services heading into the new season as they're aware it may bring back memories from that night.
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He said, during the Foundations Big Red Summer event at Anfield: "I think the club swung into action the night of and the day after the game saying 'what can we do?'. The Foundation were part of that. We wanted to support people because on a day-to-day basis week-in-week-out we work with mental health specialists we have now opened it up where we can.
"The club were looking for support and resource specialists in that area and signpost fans who need that support, supporters who need that support, both those who were there and were impacted by it all and those who were impacted by having friends and family over there.
"I think the significant thing for us is being able to work with the club to support supporters and the community. It's about being able to offer that link and signposting is massive. I think it's important for people physically going back to a game.
"We offered fans, especially kids, who went to the preseason friendly a soft landing with goodie bags and things. It felt like a happy and positive experience again to get them back into the rhythm for the new season, especially for those who had been to Paris."
Matt Parish spoke to the ECHO during an event yesterday that saw dozens of children take part in a free football day at the community centre in Anfield. The Foundation hosts a variety of free events for children and families during what is a challenging time for the community.
He said: "About 90% of the activities we are doing are free entry. We're either self-funded or funded through our partners. You've got activities all over the city region this summer and to give young people the opportunity to get involved in sport is great.
"It's great for physical health and great for mental health. I think for kids from lower-income homes during the pandemic the access to physical activity has dropped but I think it's important that we try and fill that gap where we can, especially with schools not being open during the school holidays."
Events include a range of activities such as football camps, Go Play events that include the whole family and inclusion events aimed at certain age groups with disabilities.
To access information about the specialist services on offer, click here.
To read more about the Big Red Summer, click here.
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