From a Weekly Video Call to Anfield: Michael’s Adopt a Grandparent Story

When Michael joined Adopt a Grandparent, he hoped for friendship, conversation and someone to share his stories with.

What he did not expect was that one of those conversations would eventually lead to a memorable day out at Anfield Stadium.

Michael, 85, lives at The Spinney Nursing Home in Skelmersdale and was matched through Adopt a Grandparent with volunteer David Annand, who is our Head of Operations and Fundraising.

Their weekly video calls quickly became a valued part of Michael’s routine. Both shared a love of Liverpool FC, music and comedy, and that common ground helped their friendship grow naturally. Michael spoke warmly about his life, his memories of Liverpool, his love of the club and the experiences that have shaped him.

Earlier this year, we shared Michael and David’s story on social media. The post reached the Liverpool FC Foundation, who were moved by Michael’s passion for the club and the friendship that had developed through the programme.

They kindly offered Michael the chance to visit Anfield Stadium and the Liverpool FC Museum.

On 12th May, Michael made the trip with a member of the care team from The Spinney Nursing Home, who is also a huge Liverpool supporter. Together, they enjoyed a wonderful day exploring the stadium, taking in the club’s history and experiencing a place that means so much to Michael.

It was a special day made possible through the kindness of the Liverpool FC Foundation, and we would like to thank Colin Contini, Director of Operations at Liverpool FC Foundation, and Christine Mounsey for reaching out and helping make the visit happen.

For us, Michael’s story captures something important about Adopt a Grandparent. The visit to Anfield happened because Michael and The Spinney Nursing Home chose to take part in the programme. It happened because Michael had the chance to talk about the things that mattered to him. It happened because a friendship gave his stories somewhere to go. That is the power of conversation.

When someone has the opportunity to speak, share and connect, new possibilities can open up. A weekly video call can become a friendship. A friendship can become a story, and sometimes, that story can lead somewhere completely unexpected.

David said:

“Michael’s visit to Anfield is a perfect example of why these conversations matter. By speaking about his love of Liverpool FC, he opened the door to something wonderful. If we do not give people the space to share their interests, their memories and their passions, those opportunities can so easily be missed.

“Adopt a Grandparent creates that space. It gives residents a regular one-to-one connection with someone who wants to listen, and that can lead to more than any of us might imagine.”

At Adopt a Grandparent, every match is built around the individual. Residents are paired with volunteers based on shared interests, hobbies, culture, language or life experience, helping conversations feel natural and personal from the start.

Michael’s story is a powerful reminder of what can happen when someone is given the chance to be heard. A simple weekly video call helped create a friendship. That friendship helped share a story, and that story led Michael all the way to Anfield.

Sometimes, a conversation can take you further than you ever expected.