Ipswich Town Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of SHINE, a six-week oral health programme to be delivered to primary school students in Ipswich.

Oral hygiene is a prevalent issue in young people across the UK, with 30,587 teeth extracted in children due to decay in 2023 to 2024, over 10% of those in the East of England.

SHINE is supported by the Premier League and Professional Footballers’ Association. Administered through the Premier League Charitable Fund, the funding helps football clubs to tackle inequality and respond to local challenges, supporting people and their communities to be more inclusive.

The project is also supported by the NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board (SNEE ICB), who have partnered with the Foundation on a number of programmes including Active Blues and Advantage Mentoring Talking Tactics.

Starting in September 2025, SHINE will see the Foundation deliver a six-week programme in primary schools in areas of high deprivation in Ipswich, delivering workshops on oral hygiene, hidden sugars and nutrition, as well as contact time with an NHS dentist.

The programme will support families to encourage better oral health habits, providing children with the tools and knowledge to take confident ownership of their oral health.

Students will be provided with a kitbag including an Ipswich Town branded Bamboo Toothbrush, age-appropriate toothpaste, a toothbrushing timer and a workbook, whilst information will be provided to parents and carers to support healthy oral hygiene habits at home.

The Foundation will partner with University of Suffolk Dental CIC to deliver the programme, with nurses and therapy students delivering workshops alongside Foundation staff. The University will also be providing pupils and their families with NHS dental care upon request.

“We’re delighted to be working alongside the Premier League and Professional Footballers’ Association, NHS SNEE ICB, and the University of Suffolk Dental CIC to be delivering this project,” said James Payne, Head of Community Engagement at Ipswich Town Foundation.

“SHINE tackles a prevalent issue in our community and will empower young people in Ipswich to build healthier oral health habits for years to come.

“The Foundation continues to grow its reputation as an organisation that can drive positive change in the health of people in the Suffolk community, with SHINE the next step on that journey.”

“We are delighted to be working with Ipswich Town Foundation on this important initiative,” Louise Hardwick, Deputy Director of Partnerships at Ipswich and East Suffolk Alliance, said.

“The Club has a strong and established network of effective partnerships, and we look forward to working with them to improve the oral health of primary school aged children in Ipswich.”

This season, 24 professional football club community organisations across the Premier League and English Football League are delivering projects supported by the Premier League and Professional Footballers’ Association in their local communities.

Nationally, these funded projects have engaged more than 230,000 unique participants in more than 330,000 sessions across England and Wales. Projects are supported by current and former professional football players, and scholars, to enhance the impact on participants.

To find out more about the national fund, please visit premierleague.com.