Welcome Reds, a monthly event designed for older or isolated fans, including those living with dementia. Welcome Reds session is a monthly event designed for older or isolated fans, including those living with dementia. Working with Emma Case, daughter of Jimmy Case and founder of The Red Archive, the sessions feature rarely seen clips and imagery from the club’s greatest moments.

More than 100 residents attended November’s session to see former Red’s defender and club legend Mark Lawrenson share stories from his playing days, sparking memories and creating conversations among the attendees about some of his most famous matches. Last month, it was Liverpool-born midfielder Ian Callaghan’s turn to take fans down memory lane.

Speaking about attending the Welcome Reds session, Mark Lawrenson said: “It was a privilege to be invited to the Welcome Reds session and to have the opportunity to share some of my favourite memories from my playing days – but also to hear how the attendees remember those moments as fans too. It’s really special to see how the love of a football club, and the memories that come from being a lifetime supporter, can bring people together and help tackle loneliness.”

The Welcome Reds events are fully inclusive, with members of local care homes, community centres, and the Merseyside Society for Deaf People among regular guests. Sign language interpreters and local charities such as Daisy UK are involved to ensure each gathering is accessible for all.

Forbes Duff, head of community engagement at LFC Foundation, added: “Loneliness and feelings of social isolation are common in our community, particularly among the older generation. By utilising our fans shared experiences of supporting the Reds throughout the years, we are using these special memories to bring people together. We are grateful to all the ex-players who come along to help bring those memories to life through their stories.”

Welcome Reds is just one example of the work that Red Neighbours do in the community to help people stay connected. The team runs a variety of wellbeing activities designed to keep local residents active, including weekly walking football, walking netball, yoga, and tai chi events.

They also provide food support during every school holiday by distributing over 600 hampers through local schools, each feeding a family of four that would otherwise struggle without free school meals.

If you’d like to find out more about Red Neighbours, or are interested in signing up to a programme, please email redneighbours@liverpoolfc.com