Foundation Launch Sensory Packs

The Foundation is delighted to announce the launch of our matchday sensory packs, available from this weekend’s home fixture with Burton Albion.

The sensory packs are designed to enhance the experience of fans, particularly those with autism, at Portman Road. Each pack is presented in an official Ipswich Town Foundation drawstring bag, and contains a disability awareness lanyard, as well as noise-cancelling headphones, a Foundation branded fidget spinner and a Foundation branded soft stress ball.

The launch of the packs has been made possible by funding from Town fan Steve Kirby as part of Vodafone’s VeryMe rewards, and donations to the Foundation’s disability provision in memory of Martin Swallow, the former Supporters’ Club chairman who sadly passed away in October, following Martin’s wish to make the matchday experience as accessible as possible for all supporters.

Sensory packs can be secured on the day of the game or in advance by contacting Lee Smith, Disability Liaison Officer, at lee.smith@itfc.co.uk when purchasing tickets. A £10 card-only deposit will be taken on collection of the pack, but will be refunded to you providing the pack is returned in its original condition at the end of the game. The packs can be collected and returned at the Disabled Supporters Matchday Ticket Office on Constantine Road.

At the recent home fixture with Forest Green Rovers, we gave Sophia, a young Ipswich fan, the chance to try out one of the packs.

“The pack that Sophia was given has been absolutely amazing,” said Sophia’s mum, Christina. “It makes it more accessible for children like Sophia and others to be able to access football matches.

“It’s absolutely fantastic for the Club to be that inclusive and for Sophia to feel so included.”

This move is part of an ongoing commitment to making games at Portman Road more accessible for disabled supporters, following the addition of more accessible benches to the pre-match FanZone, and comes as part of the Foundation’s support for Level Playing Field’s Unite For Action campaign.