The Fans Museum have recently completed a roadshow tour of our sheltered housing schemes thanks to social value partnership work.
Volunteers from the museum visited residents across eight Gentoo schemes in Sunderland to showcase a rare collection of football memorabilia dating from 1884 to present day.
We invited along local schools including Usworth Colliery, Grange Park and St Cuthberts Primary School to provide the opportunity for school children to see the football collection, try on shirts and interact with residents at the schemes.
The residents and children enjoyed trying on shirts previously owned by iconic players from Sunderland including Jordan Henderson, Jill Scott and Jordan Pickford.
Michael Ganley, founder of The Fans Museum said: “Delivering these sessions for Gentoo has been invaluable. The partnership between the museum, Gentoo residents and the local schools is so important as bringing all ages together encourages respect amongst the children but also provides residents the opportunity to socialise and bond over a mutual love of football.
We have seen residents with dementia speak about memories of football from their youth and children light up when they see shirts from their favourite players. The visits have been very powerful.”
Arthur Harland, a resident at our sheltered scheme Albany House, wore his very own SAFC shirt from 1973 and brought his own photos and postcards to show volunteers from the museum and students from Grange Park Primary School.
Arthur said: “I used to love watching Sunderland play at Roker Park when I was young. It’s been interesting to see all the memorabilia and share my stories with the children.”
Alison Boulton, Community Manager at Grange Park Primary School said: “The intergenerational day was a privilege to be part of. Our children loved the experience, the residents shared stories and the staff were wonderful. History was brought to life! I would recommend any school offered to share a day like this they take it up.”
John Ford, Partnership and Funding Manager at Gentoo said: “We are proud to support the Fans Museum and have been delighted to see the reaction from our residents and local school children. The results of the Fans Museum visits highlight the importance of Gentoo’s social value work in Sunderland and the positive impact it has on local people and communities.”
