Leeds United’s Over 50s’ Social Goals Group was a free weekly community programme at Elland Road, run by the Leeds United Foundation with support from Sky Bet’s EFL Building Foundations Fund. Leeds United described it as a way to encourage social interaction and support wellbeing among people over 50; its June 2024 report does not confirm whether sessions are still running or accepting participants.
What was Leeds United’s Over 50s’ Social Goals Group?
The group brought people over 50 together for health and wellbeing sessions at Elland Road. Leeds United described the meetings as free and weekly, with social interaction and helping reduce isolation among their stated aims. Those aims describe the programme’s purpose, not a measured clinical outcome or a quantified reduction in loneliness. Leeds United’s report, published 13 June 2024, is the primary account of the sessions.
Who ran the sessions, and what was Sky Bet’s role?
The Leeds United Foundation ran the group. Sky Bet’s involvement was through support from the EFL Building Foundations Fund; the available reports do not say that Sky Bet operated the sessions directly. The fund’s broader purpose was to support community schemes run by EFL clubs.
Sky Sports’ 2024 report describes Leeds’ allocation as social interaction and exercise sessions for over-50s at Elland Road. The cited reporting does not disclose how much funding Leeds itself received.
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What did participants do, and what was the group intended to offer?
The club’s account presents the sessions as a chance to meet at Elland Road, talk about Leeds United and connect with other people. Simon Wood, the Leeds United Foundation’s Health and Wellbeing Lead, said the group offered a weekly opportunity to chat about the club and could help people experiencing loneliness or social isolation. Former Leeds player Eddie Gray also visited. He said people facing problems could come to the club, talk and feel part of it. Both comments appeared in Leeds United’s June 2024 report.
The account does not provide a participant count, outcome measurements, a detailed activity schedule, or specific accessibility information. It therefore supports describing the group’s social and wellbeing purpose, but not claiming that it produced a proven health benefit.
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How much funding was involved?
The published figures refer to the wider fund, not to Leeds United’s share:
- £6 million over six years: Sky Bet’s commitment to the EFL Building Foundations Fund, as reported by Flutter Entertainment in 2024.
- £600,000: the total awarded to community schemes in the funding round described in 2024 coverage. This is not a stated grant amount for Leeds United.
Neither the funder-side announcement nor the cited coverage establishes the Leeds-specific award value.
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Is the group still running, and how can someone join?
The cited Leeds United report is dated 13 June 2024. It does not verify the group’s current operating status, upcoming session dates, eligibility checks, booking or referral process, or a contact for joining. The historic description is not enough to treat the group as a current listing. Anyone interested should confirm availability and joining arrangements directly with Leeds United or the Leeds United Foundation before making plans.
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