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Ipswich Town launches first official Fan Engagement Plan

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The club has unveiled its first official Fan Engagement Plan for the 2024/25 season, aiming to strengthen connections with supporters as the team enters the Premier League.

The big picture: The plan covers all aspects of fan interaction, from matchday experiences to community involvement, and introduces a new Fan Advisory Board (FAB) to represent supporters.

Why it matters: The Fan Engagement Plan demonstrates the club's commitment to involving supporters in club decisions and improving their overall experience as the team looks to establish itself in the Premier League.

Key details:

  • The club will build on its 2023/24 EFL Family Excellence Gold Award for fan engagement.

  • A Fan Advisory Board will be established. It will meet quarterly, with the first session before the end of 2024.

  • Club legend Matt Holland will serve as the senior representative on the FAB.

What they're saying: Matt Holland, board member and supporter engagement official, says, "I will guarantee that our supporters are heard at the highest level within the Club and that we always consider their opinions."

Mark Ashton, Chairman and CEO: "The Club is excited to launch its first ever fan engagement plan, which outlines a commitment to supporters and the continued development of a connection between the Club and its fans."

Get involved: You can find out more about the plan and get involved at https://www.itfc.co.uk/ipswichtownfanengagement/

FareShare expands food redistribution network with new Ipswich site

News

FareShare has officially launched its new site in Ipswich, aiming to provide more surplus food to communities in need across the region.

The big picture: FareShare East Anglia is part of the UK's largest food redistribution charity network. Last year, it distributed 1.6 million meals via over 140 organisations across Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire.

Why it matters: The larger facility will allow FareShare to increase its capacity for redistributing food that would otherwise go to waste, supporting local charities and community groups.

Kris Gibbon-Walsh, Rev. Lawrence Carey, Steve Dermody, Cllr Lynne Mortimer, Oliver Paul, Debbie Blacker, Les Dobson and Mike Barrett
Kris Gibbon-Walsh, Rev. Lawrence Carey, Steve Dermody, Cllr Lynne Mortimer, Oliver Paul, Debbie Blacker, Les Dobson and Mike BarrettGlen FarthingRed Wren Studios

Key details:

  • The ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on 12 September, attended by local supporters and partners.

  • Deputy Mayor of Ipswich, Councillor Lynne Mortimer, officially opened the new site.

  • The expansion was made possible with support from funders, including Comic Relief.

What they're saying:

  • Mike Barrett, regional manager, FareShare East Anglia: "Opening a larger site, with greater capacity, is going to make a huge difference and we're enormously grateful to all our partners who have helped bring this project to fruition."

  • Kris Gibbon-Walsh, COO of FareShare: "This new bigger warehouse will allow the teams to work safely, whilst really making a difference to our capacity for redistributing food to organisations across the region and beyond."

  • Reverend Lawrence Carey of Triangle Church Ipswich: "The ability to have a regular delivery of food items from FareShare has helped us to offer support to our community through our Top Up Shops."

What's next: FareShare East Anglia is hosting an Open Day on 31 October for prospective partners, suppliers, and organisations interested in receiving food.

The bottom line: The new site will enable FareShare to expand its operations, providing more support to local communities facing food insecurity while reducing food waste.

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