Argyle Community Trust release 2023/24 Impact Report
Argyle Community Trust are proud to launch the Impact Report for 2023/24 – an award-winning year for the official charity of Plymouth Argyle Football Club. The report showcases the incredible work carried out to provide opportunities to all people in South West communities by inspiring and empowering them through sport.
The report demonstrates the commitment of the charity to delivering impactful and accessible opportunities highlighted through work in six key strands – Education and Employment, Facilities, Participation, Health and Wellbeing, Disability, and Community Engagement.
The report also looks at the real-life impact stories of some of the individuals who have flourished because of this charity and community outreach work – creating life chances, improving health and wellbeing, and removing barriers to participation.
During the 2023/24 season, the Trust have:
- Supported 109,902 local people in need, aged between four months and 103 years, through 183 staff and 50 volunteers dedicated to the community
- Delivered 29,362 bespoke sessions to meet local need
- Provided 34,392 hours of physical activity to support young people, and 2,162 hours of youth mentoring and crime prevention programmes
- Provided 2,104 hours of inspirational sport and workshops to improve health and wellbeing
- Facilitated 183 community sessions to combat loneliness and isolation
Through the dedicated data and impact team this support has been targeted to those most in need. 64% of participants, and 63% of delivery venues are in the most deprived areas, meaning provisions are accessible to those who need it most.
To maximise impact in the community, provisions are designed and structured according to research and data, which sets out short, medium, and long-term aims. The impact is measured, in part, by the numbers and demographics of participants and time spent engaging with programmes. Positive outcomes attained by individual participants are also measured.
Trust Chief Executive Officer Mark Lovell said: “We are thankful to our partners, funders, and stakeholders. Together we have expanded our community outreach to support thousands of local people.
“We are delighted to share the impact this work has had across Plymouth, Devon, and Cornwall during the 2023/24 season. It is a testament to our staff and their incredible work in the communities we proudly serve.”
The 2023/24 season was an award-winning year for the charity, achieving local and national recognition by being named Community Champions at the Devon & Plymouth Chamber Awards and winning Best Community Scheme at the Football Business Awards. Nominations were also received for for Best Corporate Social Responsibility Scheme for Project 35, in partnership with Ginsters, at the Football Business Awards, and Sports Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion and Best Sports Community or Corporate Social Responsibility at the Sports Business Awards.
Argyle Chairman Simon Hallett adds: “We are proud as a football club to represent the city of Plymouth and counties of Devon and Cornwall. We are also proud of the incredible work Argyle Community Trust does in improving the lives of disadvantaged and isolated communities, underrepresented groups, and at-risk children, young people, and adults in the region.
“Argyle Community Trust’s scope of work and activity is incredible, and I want to personally thank everyone involved for the amazing work they do every day.”
Argyle Head Coach Wayne Rooney expressed his pride at the relationship between Argyle and the community: “Since joining Argyle I have seen first-hand the relationship between the football club, Argyle Community Trust, and the city.
“I know the importance of football clubs and charities in the local community and the impact they can have on the lives of people day to day.
“Argyle Community Trust do incredible work throughout Devon and Cornwall and make a genuine difference to the region. I want to thank them for the work they do and continue to do in the city of Plymouth and beyond.”
The future is incredibly exciting for ‘One Argyle’ both on and off the pitch. The football club is well into its second season in the Sky Bet Championship, and recent growth has seen the acquisition of the Brickfields site.
Brickfields Hub, opening early next year, will provide health and wellbeing activities, employment training, education courses, and rehabilitation programmes that expand the current offering, and further reach those underrepresented groups in the city. There will also be a new permanent home for Plymouth Argyle Academy and Plymouth Argyle Women, and extensive community and sport facilities to make the people Devonport and beyond proud for generations.
Find out about the work of the charity and how you can support the community outreach work here.
You can download a PDF version of the Impact Report here to see the data and participant stories that show the profound impact Argyle Community Trust, Plymouth Argyle, and sport in general has had on changing lives and improving life chances in our communities.
