Extra Time / Active 8

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Funded by the Football Foundation and Sport Relief, and supported by Age UK, the Extra Time programme uses the power of football to target older people aged 55 plus; and delivers social inclusion and physical activity projects nationwide through Premier League and Football League club community schemes. Blackburn Rovers Community Trust also secured additional match funding from Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council.

Older people are a group that both the Football Foundation and Sport Relief wish to engage with and this project tackles two important issues for older people, physical health emotional wellbeing and social isolation. The main aims of this programme are:

  • To provide exercise opportunities so as to increase physical activity. Physical activity improves both physical health and emotional wellbeing. It is one of the most important factors in maintaining a good quality of life.
  • To provide a programme that improves muscle strength, balance and mobility.
  • To provide social networking opportunities which can help address some of the social exclusion and isolation issues faced by older people.
  • To increase the target groups interest and connections with the professional game.
  • To create a local legacy of participation that will be carried forward for many years in the community.

The Blackburn Rovers Community Trust project, named Active 8, offers line dancing, walking around the pitch, tea dance and I.T. courses. In addition to offering enjoyable exercise sessions, it also affords a chance for social engagement thereby contributing to emotional health and well-being.

The fully inclusive programme offers activity over a 30 week period. Refreshments are provided at each session and participants are encouraged to make time for a chat and a brew at activity end.

For more information about the Extra Time project, please contact Jamie Hopwood, Head of Community Sport and Health Engagement on 01254 296129 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. <!-- document.write('</'); document.write('span>'); //--> .