Football clubs invite lonely people to join them as volunteers
Voetbal Vlaanderen, the federation of amateur football clubs in Flanders, is launching a campaign to bridge the gap between the growing loneliness in Flanders and the acute shortage of volunteers in football clubs. The project is being launched with a senior citizen network.
Nearly four in 10 people in Flanders feel lonely. At the same time, more than nine in 10 football clubs in the region say they are finding it increasingly difficult to recruit volunteers. With its campaign, Voetbal Vlaanderen is calling on clubs to open their doors to neighbours who have difficulty making social connections.
"Loneliness is a collective responsibility. Social connections make people happy. Our clubs can help with that. They are often the beating heart of their community," says Nand De Klerck of Voetbal Vlaanderen. Interested parties can enter their postcode via an online platform and discover which organisations and football clubs in their area are open to volunteering.
More than 100 football clubs across Flanders have registered. Today, some 56,000 volunteers are active in Flemish youth and amateur football.
#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO BRUNO FAHY
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