Recently Bolton Wanderers Football Club and Bolton Wanderers in the Community (BWitC) met with staff from Bolton NHS Foundation Trust at the Bolton One facility to explore an exciting new partnership aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of people across the town.
Club Chairman Sharon Brittan, Head Coach Steven Schumacher and first-team players Max Conway and Ethan Erhahon joined BWitC’s Joe Lawton and Hayley Wilson for discussions around ‘Stronger Together Bolton.’ This proposed partnership will bring together the clinical expertise of the NHS, the reach of the football club and the community programmes delivered by BWitC.
The partnership aims to bridge the gap between NHS treatment and long-term community support, helping Bolton residents remain active, independent and connected beyond their clinical care. The initiative would explore opportunities to support people following musculoskeletal (MSK) treatment, as well as those living with chronic pain, long-term health conditions and reduced mobility. With the priority of creating pathways into accessible exercise, wellbeing activities and peer support.
By combining clinical guidance and rehabilitation expertise with the motivational power of football, the partnership aims to help residents build confidence, improve physical and mental wellbeing, reduce social isolation and maintain healthier lifestyles. It could also support the NHS through improved rehabilitation outcomes, preventative health interventions and greater use of community-based support.
Speaking on the partnership, Sharon Brittan said: “I came into football to use the platform of this club to change lives and Bolton Wanderers has always been about football and so much more. The Stronger Together Bolton partnership gives us a fantastic opportunity to build on the positive impact we can make across our town.
“I’m grateful to Max, Ethan and Steven for joining me on behalf of Bolton Wanderers in the Community. Opportunities like this show exactly why this partnership matters. Our badge has a unique power to connect with people, and one beaming lady told us our visit had made her year. It also makes me very proud that our players understand how important this work is, and Max and Ethan are already planning to attend our next meeting with the hospital.
“Bringing together the clinical expertise of Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, the reach of Bolton Wanderers Football Club and the community health and wellbeing programmes delivered by Bolton Wanderers in the Community, we can create meaningful pathways that help people build confidence and live healthier, more independent lives.
“Together, we are working towards launching a pilot programme in 2027 that bridges the gap between NHS treatment and long-term community support. By harnessing the power of football and the strength of our local partnerships, we want to inspire people to move more and recover better, while helping to reduce isolation and improve wellbeing right across Bolton.”
Through Stronger Together Bolton, we aim to demonstrate how football and community collaboration can play a meaningful role in building a healthier, more connected town.
Click here to read more about Bolton Wanderers in the Community.
