Ipswich Town Foundation is delighted to announce the rebranding of our disability provision to Beyond Labels.

The name change comes after a period of extensive consultation with participants and their families, with a clear desire from the majority to move away from a name they felt was negative, came with a stigma, and placed them under a label.

Delivery of Beyond Labels sessions will begin this Summer, with Holiday Camps providing access to PAN Football for young people aged 5 to 16, and Multi-Sport Camps for anyone aged 4 and over.

From September, the Foundation’s weekly Adult and Youth PAN Football sessions, and bi-weekly Frame and Powerchair Football sessions will return under the Beyond Labels banner, as well as two new sessions – Deaf Football and CP & Neuromuscular Football.

Inspired by Suffolk Archives’ Beyond Labels project, made possible by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, which saw the Foundation attend an exhibition at The Hold in Ipswich, the home of Suffolk Archives earlier this year, the Foundation has pledged to support the exhibition’s message – empowering those with additional needs – both learning and physical – whilst removing the stigma and labels surrounding disability in Suffolk.

“We love the name Beyond Labels,” said Hannah, the parent of a Frame Football participant. “We feel it celebrates all our Leo can do and not what he can’t.”

“There are times we’ve felt very alone navigating Leo’s disability and condition, but the whole team and Leo’s friends at Frame Football have all been there as a family.

“Beyond Labels is a start at change, creates a conversation about disability and shines a light on the achievements and challenges we face in a world that’s not always equipped to us.  Well done to all the team at the Foundation who work tirelessly towards a better future for us.”

The Foundation takes on that name with Suffolk Archives’ permission, with the Foundation dedicated to carrying on the message and legacy of the exhibition.

The Hold will be hosting a Beyond Labels Celebration Event on the 11 July, with more details and booking information available here.

“We’re absolutely delighted that Ipswich Town Foundation will be carrying on the legacy of Beyond Labels, celebrating disability in Suffolk which was made possible by the National Lottery Heritage Fund,” said Amy Turnbull from Suffolk Archives, which is a Suffolk County Council service.

“Ipswich Town Foundation extends their thanks to Suffolk Archives for allowing us to take on the Beyond Labels brand. We consulted our participants with the suggestion for the provision name change which was warmly welcomed and subsequently enables the Foundation to continue expanding our provision while showing a commitment to celebrating that football and sport is for all,” said Leanne Smith, Community Engagement Manager.

To register your interest in attending any of our Beyond Labels sessions, contact Health & Inclusion Co-ordinator Lauren Revill at lauren.revill@itfcfoundation.co.uk.