Foundation launch five-year strategy

Ipswich Town Foundation is proud to launch its new ‘Presence with Purpose’ five-year strategy.

The new strategy is the first for Ipswich Town Foundation following an internal and external consultation process with local key stakeholders.

The ‘Presence With Purpose’ strategy will work towards building an empowered, inspired and inclusive community to be proud of.

By using the presence, power and reach of Ipswich Town Football Club, the Foundation will inspire individuals to realise their potential both on and off the football pitch and create pride in their communities.

When the Foundation reaches its final year of the strategy in 2028, it will coincide with the 150^th anniversary of the Club forming. To celebrate this occasion, the Foundation aims to have reached 150,000 engagements with unique participants since the relaunch of the Foundation in 2019.

The Foundation’s introduction of a five-year strategy will provide a framework to build on its existing work, helping over 9,000 young people and vulnerable adults on a weekly basis.

Town CEO and Chair of Trustees, Mark Ashton, said: “The Foundation and the crucial work it completes is at the forefront of everything the Football Club does.

“It is absolutely vital that the Club gives back to the community it represents, with the Foundation’s work being paramount in that.

“The strategy outlined in this document demonstrates how the Foundation will harness the power of football and Ipswich Town to make a genuine difference to local people in the town and wider community.”

The Foundation’s strategy will aim to address the needs of the communities and continue to tackle inequalities that have increased due to the cost of living crisis.

The Foundation’s provision is centred around four key pillars, which are highlighted in the strategy; Community Participation and Inclusion, Health and Wellbeing, Sport and Physical Activity and Education and Employability.

Focussing on developing, managing, and delivering high quality activities, programmes and initiatives will allow the Foundation to meet the needs of the community. The Foundation will be creative and agile in its approach and, where appropriate, embrace partnerships and new ideas to ensure what it does is impactful and fit for purpose.

The Foundation’s strategic aims are realistic and achievable and correspond to each of our four pillars of provision:

• To build healthier, safer and more cohesive communities, actively encouraging and celebrating equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Increase opportunities and services available to individuals in Suffolk and the surrounding areas, in order to improve individuals’ mental and physical wellbeing whilst reducing social isolation.
• To assist and further in the educational attainment and enjoyment of children and young people in Suffolk and the surrounding areas through our range of provision, in turn increasing employability and a positive contribution to society.
• Develop lifelong habits of regular physical activity participation, whilst continuing to provide achievable pathways to excellence.

Dan Palfrey, Director of Foundation, added: “On behalf of all of the staff and Trustees at Ipswich Town Foundation, I am delighted to launch our new five-year strategy that will help us to continue to make a genuine positive difference to the communities we serve.

“We’re extremely excited to build on the growth and success we’ve had since 2019 and I am confident that we will represent the Club with pride in the community and have a successful five years ahead. Many thanks to our key partners and our dedicated staff.”

You can read our 2023-2028 strategy in full, here. To find out more about the Foundation’s ‘Presence with Purpose’ strategy, please email community@itfc.co.uk.

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