Bolton Wanderers Hero recognised by EFL Community Heroes Campaign
A Bolton Wanderers in the Community (BWitC) Digital Skills volunteer has been recognised as an EFL Community Hero for his work helping support his community to be digitally connected with peers and local services.
Charlie Watts, who was presented with their Community Heroes pennant at Saturday’s game against Leyton Orient, said: “I was lost for words when I was told I had been nominated as an EFL Community Hero.
“I was very surprised, and quite humbled because I have had problems with my self-belief and my work with Bolton Wanderers in the Community has really helped me with that.
“I thought I was just doing my digital skills sessions and that was it, but to see the impact it is clearly having is great.
“I have always enjoyed technology and also helping others with it who maybe aren’t as technologically savvy.”
Watts, who first joined the charity as a participant through their ASPIRE session, volunteers with BWitC’s Digital Skills Hub helping support the charity to digitally connect residents with peers and local services.
Led by Sarah Moraes, BWitC’s Employability Project Officer, ASPIRE is a 10-week programme, supported by Greater Manchester Combined Authority, WEA and UK Government, aiming to equip young people across Bolton with the key skills to make the steps toward a positive future.
The course is open to young people aged 16+ who are unemployed or working less than 16 hours per week, offers a range of activities to help participants learn skills to support their transition into full time employment.
Watts joined BWitC in 2024 looking to develop his confidence and employability skills to make the steps toward his future career.
The charity’s Digital Skills sessions run Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 3:00pm-4:00pm, from the Sutton Estate Community Centre and part of the charity’s ongoing commitment is to work toward a connected Bolton without disadvantage.
The Digital Skills Hub aims to bridge the digital divide and empower residents, with more and more services now moving online it is key to support our residents in becoming more digitally connected.
Trevor Birch, CEO of the EFL, said: “Community is a fundamental part of the EFL and its 72 Clubs’ identity. The work undertaken by Clubs has a hugely positive impact on the participants of the various programmes and in the towns and cities where people live.
“Football Clubs are trusted in their communities, and this can help to remove barriers for accessing support. Clubs are successfully addressing challenges linked to health, wellbeing, education and employment as well as helping to keep communities connected. We look forward to celebrating and recognising this incredible work in front of match-going fans during the Community Weekends.”
The EFL Community Weekends build on the success of the recent EFL Week of Action in November – where the League and its Clubs shone a light on the significant social impact Club community work has on towns and cities in England and Wales.
This was valued at over £1.24 billion a season in the latest community impact report found here.
During the 2023/24 season, EFL Football Club charities delivered 438,033 sessions across 801,661 hours with an average of 6,084 sessions and 11,134 hours of support per Club.
For more information on the EFL Community Weekends and the impact of EFL Club community work please visit efl.com.