How Charlton’s Trust is supporting people with Down’s syndrome during the coronavirus pandemic

Charlton Community Trust have organised an individual charity walk to support the Upbeats programme

For the Charlton Upbeats, a bespoke programme for people with Down’s syndrome across London, the coronavirus pandemic has done more than shake the foundations of daily life. This weekend, the troupe were supposed to be playing a seven-a-side match at The Valley, Charlton’s 27,000-seater stadium, against a rival club. A nine-mile walk prior to the match led by club legends raises the money to keep the project afloat each year, but the day is treated with all the grandeur of the Championship. The front of the matchday programme features an Upbeat instead of a first-team player, each of their names are read out over the tannoy and displayed on the big screen before kick-off, and thousands of supporters watch every moment. It’s not just a special occasion, for many it’s the centrepiece of their year.

“Normally, this would be the time when the project becomes the club’s main focus,” says Carl Krauhaus, head of early help and prevention at Charlton’s Community Trust. “This week is so good because the Upbeats know they’re the focus, it can lift their spirits and make them feel like they’re part of something huge. The club are always brilliant at promoting it and we’re trying to emulate everything to the best of our ability, whether it’s a series of events, interviews, social media challenges, to make up for what they’re missing.”

While the lockdown has left all of our lives in an isolated limbo, the trials for those with Down’s syndrome and their families has been drastic. “They’re facing the same problems as the vast majority, but everything is escalated,” Krauhaus continues. “Just by their nature, a lot of them are very emotional, they’re either very happy or very sad, and they’re missing their friends. In severe cases, a few boys are non-verbal and are finding it hard to understand what’s actually going on. When projects like this aren’t available, you realise why they’re needed so much.”

To keep their sense of community alive, the Trust has conjured up several new methods to stay engaged with the Upbeats. Zoom calls have replaced weekly meets and a WhatsApp group keeps conversation flowing, with Charlton coaches and participants alike setting each other video challenges, from fitness regimes to doing rainbow flicks. Players and staff are drawing attention to the project on social media, with all fans invited to walk one mile individually on Saturday to help raise money for the programme. “We need to try and raise £10,000 so when we come back, we’re in a position to get the project up and running as normal,” says Krauhaus.

For over a decade, the Upbeats programme has become part of the fabric of the club. In 2009, with the help of Charlton’s supporters, the project won £38,000 on ITV’s People’s Millions; a competition where charitable initiatives attempt to win funding via a public vote. Ever since, it’s been propped up by the generosity of the club and its fans alone. Activities range from group sessions to overseas trips, but several of the Upbeats, aged anywhere between four and 48, are also competitive sportsmen in their own right.

This year, they were supposed to be targeting a 10th successive national football championship, as well as a prize trip to Belfast in July for the George Best Cup; an annual competition between 72 teams across Britain. Charlton’s first-team players frequently get involved, even turning up for impromptu training sessions, while the Upbeats’ two competitive swimmers take part in a race against players once a season.

“The Charlton Upbeats are a big part of the football club,” says Charlton manager Lee Bowyer. “I know they are very popular with the fans and also the players. I went along to train with them last year and the joy and enthusiasm for the game from the lads is unreal.

“The work the Community Trust does with them is outstanding and the Upbeats Walk each year is very important to all at the football club and raises important funds to keep the scheme going. Obviously we are all disappointed that there isn’t a game this year but I’m pleased to see the Upbeats Walk going ahead and hopefully we can raise the £10,000 targeted.”

As a trust, the obstacles faced will only become greater as the crisis continues. Their arms stretch throughout the local boroughs, ranging from projects helping vulnerable teenagers on the verge of custodial sentences to elderly residents who meet for weekly bingo sessions. “The lockdown has affected us in every aspect,” says the Trust’s chief executive Jason Morgan. “It’s the hardest thing we’ve faced. I’ve been at the club 27 years, we’ve gone through all sort of challenges, whether that’s funding, change of ownership, change of leagues. We’re used to that, but nobody has experienced this. There’s a new challenge every hour.”

On Saturday, the Trust is asking for anyone who’s able to set aside just one short walk to help raise awareness for the Upbeats. It might not be the day of celebration they’ve dreamt of, but it still has the unique power to put them at the centre of Charlton’s universe.

To find out more about the Community Trust and the Upbeats programme, click here.