Luton Town FC Community Trust Strategic Plan 2021 / 2024

REBUILDING OUR CAPACITY & RECONNECTING OUR COMMUNITIES A REGISTERED CHARITY WITH A CLEAR VISION:

TO IMPROVE LIVES THROUGH THE POWER OF FOOTBALL.

STRATEGIC PLAN:

2021 / 2024

LUTON TOWN FC COMMUNITY TRUST’S STRATEGIC PLAN 2021 – 2024

It makes me very proud to be asked to write a few words in this latest strategic plan for the Community Trust.

We, in Bedfordshire, are a diverse, multicultural society we feel it is vital to understand and celebrate our differences.

The Trust’s main ethos is to engage with, educate, learn from and inspire its community and it is heartening to see the positive results, which have been achieved.

CONTENTS Foreword Introducing our Strategic Plan and our Mission Our Core Values and Strategic Aims How our Strategy was created and How we know it’s working Understanding our Diverse Communities Building back our Capacity & Our Roadmap to Recovery Our Strategic Aims Our Impact Further Information and Contact REBUILDING OUR CAPACITY | RECONNECTING OUR COMMUNITIES 2021 – 2024

1 2–3 4 5 6–7 8-9 10 – 11 12 - 13 14

DAVID WILKINSON LUTON TOWN FC CHAIRMAN

The pandemic has made personal contact nigh on impossible so it is vitally important to reestablish the routines and relationships, which were in place before the virus arrived.

We are separate organisations, but our dreams, intentions and desires are closely aligned.

We both strongly believe in inclusivity and openness with the aim of trying to improve relationships within and the well being of our community.

Good luck to everyone and thank you.

FOREWORD This strategy outlines how we are going to help people to overcome social challenges over the next four years and beyond. The diverse nature of our work often brings us into contact with those on the edge of society or those who are disengaged, lonely, live in poverty or live with a disability. The pandemic will unquestionably have accentuated social divides and widened inequality.

KEVIN THOBURN HEAD OF TRUST

Bedfordshire is made up of vibrant, ambitious and resilient communities.

It has long been a progressive model of multiculturalism, its’ identity enriched by its diversity. We are proud to be from here: we exist to support our communities and the people within them.

Despite this immense spirit, the county is faced with unprecedented social challenges.

The covid pandemic has been a game changer for society affecting every individual and organisation in different ways. For charitable organisations, the future is uncertain, although we can say with certainty it will be challenging, as we look to recover from the biggest crisis in a generation.

Luton Town FC Community Trust is an independent, registered charity governed by a board of trustees and our first job is to listen and understand our diverse communities. 1 in 3 adults are physically inactive and 40% of 11year-olds are overweight or obese. Educational attainment falls well below the national average and close to one third of Luton residents are experiencing deprivation. Anti-social behaviour and knife crime are at record levels. These issues are deep-rooted and acute.

We need to understand the causes before we can address the problems. We know that a one-size-fits-all approach will not work. Our communities are large and varied – challenges faced in inner-city Luton or Bedford may not be the same as those in rural Ampthill. Our approach will be to respond to all communities needs on a local level – inclusive practice underpins all of our work.

projects with genuine impact that will focus on the three strategic aims.

• • •

Creating healthy habits for life Offering opportunities for the next generation to play and succeed Supporting our whole community

The pandemic means our first and additional strategic aim, will be to rebuild our capacity and re-engage with our communities. We cannot achieve this alone and our success so far has been through building and sustaining key partnerships locally and nationally with those who can help us deliver our strategic aims.

Our success will be measured by long-term, sustainable and measurable impact. Needs will change, Covid has created new challenges. We aim to develop our delivery, create partnerships and seek expertise to help people, change lives and transform communities.

Kevin Thoburn, Head of Trust January 2021

The plan is driven by our core values of Engage, Inspire and Empower, which we embed through Respect, Pride and Inclusivity.

With the power of the football club sitting at the heart of its community our talented and dedicated staff have decades of experience between them in delivering high quality

REBUILDING OUR CAPACITY | RECONNECTING OUR COMMUNITIES 2021 – 2024

LUTON TOWN FC COMMUNITY TRUST’S STRATEGIC PLAN 2021 – 2024

BOB CURSON

TRUSTEE BOARD CHAIRMAN AND DIRECTOR OF LUTON TOWN FC The Trustees are proud of the work that the charity does to improve the lives of local people in Bedfordshire.

Covid has had a devastating effect on all of our lives and has also had a major impact on the work of our charity. The next two years will be a case of re-building our capacity to ensure our activity once again begins to deliver huge benefits to the local community.

The power of the Luton Town Football Club brand coupled with the immense effort and dedication of the staff is a major contributing factor in our effort to make changes for the good in our local community.

Prior to the pandemic, we engaged with over 3,500 men, women and children every week and over the past ten years we have grown from strength to strength and are now considered to be a part of everyday life to many people who would have missed an opportunity to improve their future in a positive way.

With renewed capacity the trustees are confident the charity will continue to have a significant impact on the local community.

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LUTON TOWN FC COMMUNITY TRUST’S STRATEGIC PLAN 2021 – 2024

REBUILDING OUR CAPACITY | RECONNECTING OUR COMMUNITIES 2021 – 2024

SUPPORTING OUR WHOLE COMMUNITY

CREATING HEALTHY HABITS FOR LIFE

LEADING OUR RECOVERY

EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION

EVALUATING OUR IMPACT

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OUR CORE VALUES

As an organisation we believe that everyone matters, irrespective of race, religion, belief or background. We always strive to do the right thing, operating in an ethical and transparent manner through our core organisational values:

ENGAGE

INSPIRE

EMPOWER

RESPECT

PRIDE

INCLUSIVITY OUR STRATEGIC AIMS

1

LEADING OUR RECOVERY

2

CREATING HEALTHY HABITS FOR LIFE

REBUILDING OUR CAPACITY | RECONNECTING OUR COMMUNITIES 2021 – 2024

3

EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION

4

SUPPORTING OUR WHOLE COMMUNITY

LUTON TOWN FC COMMUNITY TRUST’S STRATEGIC PLAN 2021 – 2024

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EVALUATING OUR IMPACT

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HOW OUR STRATEGY WAS CREATED Our diverse communities have different needs and aspirations and require tailored support that above all is accessible. Using insight generated by our trustees, our staff and partners we are committed to delivering programmes in the heart of our communities with interventions specifically addressing local challenges which match our strategic aims.

To achieve our strategic aims, we will focus on using the power of our brand and doing the things we do well in three strategic areas of work.

HEALTH

EDUCATION

INCLUSIVITY

OUR THREE STRATEGIC AREAS OF WORK We will work to create opportunities that create healthy habits for life, address the myriad of physical and mental health challenges across Bedfordshire including inactivity, obesity and mental wellbeing.

Through targeted training and employability interventions we will offer opportunities for the next generation to play and succeed. We will help those who are not in employment, education or training and support with job readiness.

We will bring people together and support our whole community using the things they have in common.

Supporting the Hatters or a common love of football, holding a shared ambition, a health condition, or living in or coming from the same community so whatever their background we can live, work, learn and socialise together.

To help develop our strategy we presented the Trustee Board with the views of our staff, stakeholders and community members alongside our local demographic and health statistics. Our comprehensive approach provided the Board with a detailed understanding of the dynamics of our diverse communities and helped shape future provision and how to best identify greatest need to ensure maximum impact.

“Getting out in the community to support the fantastic programmes that the Trust put on is one of the most enjoyable parts of being at Luton Town. It’s brilliant to see the smiles on the faces of the men, women, girls and boys we meet and the benefits they get from being involved with the football club.”

MICK HARFORD, PLAYER, MANAGER & CLUB LEGEND

HOW WE KNOW IT IS WORKING It’s important that people know what we do and that we communicate about the programmes we deliver and the impact they have on individuals and whole communities.

We’ll capture both our specific impact through the programmes we deliver, the interventions we make, the partnerships we forge and the influence our activities create. We know that what gets measured gets

REBUILDING OUR CAPACITY | RECONNECTING OUR COMMUNITIES 2021 – 2024

done and we also know we must improve our methods of measuring and evaluating our impact so we are clear about the difference we are making.

We know that being able to assess the collective social value of our work is fundamental to highlighting our achievements, securing further funding and making better decisions that identify changing needs and adapt our programmes accordingly.

LUTON TOWN FC COMMUNITY TRUST’S STRATEGIC PLAN 2021 – 2024

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LUTON TOWN FC COMMUNITY TRUST’S STRATEGIC PLAN 2021 – 2024

REBUILDING OUR CAPACITY | RECONNECTING OUR COMMUNITIES 2021 – 2024

UNDERSTANDING OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITIES

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Source: local.communityinsight.org

1 IN 3 PEOPLE ARE

IN LUTON

PHYSICALLY INACTIVE IN LUTON 30% 23% IN LUTON

23% 21%

IN BEDFORD

NATIONAL AVERAGE

19%

IN NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE

NATIONAL AVERAGE

4 OUT OF 10

YEAR 6s ARE OBESE OR OVERWEIGHT

IN CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE

LUTON HAS A HIGHLY DIVERSE POPULATION

39.8%

OF POPULATION ARE OF AFRO-CARIBBEAN OR

SOUTH EAST ASIAN HERITAGE

LUTON

POPULATION

15.3% 11.3%

7.4% 3.9%

IN BEDFORD

IN NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE

NATIONAL AVERAGE

IN CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE

HOUSEHOLDS IN WHICH NO MEMBERS HAVE

ENGLISH AS THEIR FIRST LANGUAGE

11.3%

IN LUTON

6.5% 2.1% IN BEDFORD IN N. HERTS 4.4% 1.5% NATIONAL AVERAGE IN C. BEDS

REBUILDING OUR CAPACITY | RECONNECTING OUR COMMUNITIES 2021 – 2024

40.6% CLOSE TO ONE THIRD OF LUTON RESIDENTS 33.6% ARE EXPERIENCING DEPRIVATION 33.4% BEDFORD LUTON 29.7% 29.7% 15.5% National Average is 20%

IN BEDFORD

IN CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE

27.2%

NORTH

CENTRAL

BEDFORDSHIRE

IN NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE

HERTFORDSHIRE

4.8%

16 – 19 YEAR OLDs WITH NO QUALIFICATIONS IS 4% HIGHER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE

3.2%

16.2% 12.6% IN LUTON

NATIONAL AVERAGE

THOSE WHO ARE AGED 65+

18.3% 12.6% NATIONAL AVERAGE

IN LUTON

17.9% IN C. BEDS 17.8%

IN BEDFORD

19.2% IN N. HERTS

LUTON HAS ONE OF THE YOUNGEST POPULATIONS IN THE UK LUTON TOWN FC COMMUNITY TRUST’S STRATEGIC PLAN 2021 – 2024

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BUILDING BACK OUR CAPACITY OUR ROADMAP TO RECOVERY

RECONNECTING OUR COMMUNITIES

2021

1

LEADING OUR RECOVERY • • •

2024

Re-connecting with disadvantaged groups Re-engaging with lost participants Re-establishing delivery

3

FOR OUR COMMUNITY’S FUTURE • • •

Build stronger more cohesive communities Reduce health and economic inequalities Raise aspirations and realise potential

5

SECURING OUR FUTURE • • •

Encourage participation in sport and regular exercise Improve physical and mental health Increase school sport opportunities through positive engagement

2021

PLANNING OUR RECOVERY

2024

2

RISING TO THE CHALLENGE • • •

Re-establish safe spaces Re-connect with NEET’s Re-establish skills & workplace training

REBUILDING OUR CAPACITY | RECONNECTING OUR COMMUNITIES 2021 – 2024

4

FOR OUR TRUST’S FUTURE

• • •

Improve lives through the power of football Empower the next generation to play and succeed Securing our capacity through secure future funding streams

LUTON TOWN FC COMMUNITY TRUST’S STRATEGIC PLAN 2021 – 2024

ACHIEVING OUR STRATEGIC AIMS 8

LUTON TOWN FC COMMUNITY TRUST’S STRATEGIC PLAN 2021 – 2024

REBUILDING OUR CAPACITY | RECONNECTING OUR COMMUNITIES 2021 – 2024

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STRATEGIC AIMS 1. LEADING OUR RECOVERY 2. CREATING HEALTHY HABITS FOR LIFE 3. EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION TO PLAY AND SUCCEED 4. SUPPORTING OUR WHOLE COMMUNITY Our first immediate aim is to recover as a charity following the global pandemic; rebuild our capacity and re-connect with communities to deliver impactful projects.

To achieve these aims we will focus on three key areas by increasing participation in sport and healthy exercise, helping our young people to succeed post pandemic, while making sure we include all communities within our diverse catchment area to maximise our positive community impact.

To do this we need to identify, understand and build, on our own unique strengths and forge partnerships with like minded organisations that can enhance our community offer while also sharing expertise and knowledge.

We are committed to delivering high quality, accessible opportunities across Luton, Bedfordshire and North Hertfordshire which improve health and wellbeing, education and skills opportunities as wells as including and raising the aspirations of our whole community.

REBUILDING OUR CAPACITY | RECONNECTING OUR COMMUNITIES 2021 – 2024

LEADING OUR RECOVERY Covid has severely impacted on our ability to engage with many individuals and communities.

We need to rebuild our capacity both financially and operationally while also re-connecting with our whole community. Re-engage, Rejuvenate and Restore will drive our recovery.

CREATING HEALTHY HABITS FOR LIFE We believe there’s a place for sport in everyone’s life, whether 5 years old or 95.

That’s why we work in over 80 primary schools each year across Luton, Bedfordshire and North Hertfordshire, organise walking groups and walking football for senior citizens alongside inclusive activities for those with disabilities.

AIMS

AIMS

• We will seek resources to restore and increase our capacity to engage our whole community.

• We will ensure our workforce capacity is restored and programmes developed to achieve our strategic aims.

• We will reconnect with our communities to engage, inspire and empower, ensuring every person we engage with receives the support they need.

• We will ensure sport and healthy activity is an inclusive part of children’s daily lifestyle with no barriers to participation.

• We will support communities, young and old to adopt healthy lifestyles that enhance their quality of life.

• We will create targeted programmes that can empower anyone to make long term sustainable positive lifestyle choice.

LUTON TOWN FC COMMUNITY TRUST’S STRATEGIC PLAN 2021 – 2024

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LUTON TOWN FC COMMUNITY TRUST’S STRATEGIC PLAN 2021 – 2024

EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION TO PLAY AND SUCCEED Whatever their level, we love to encourage people to love the game and programmes aim to help young, talented people from all communities reach their potential and succeed on the field while also using the power and reach of football to equip young people with knowledge, skills and confidence to fulfil their potential off the pitch too, helping them get ready for work and life.

SUPPORTING OUR WHOLE COMMUNITY Across Luton, Bedfordshire and North Hertfordshire, we bring together groups that are often excluded from playing sport; creating opportunities that promote integration and cohesive, successful communities.

Each week, we deliver sport and education sessions in over 40 community spaces, taking our club into parts of our catchment area that others don’t often reach.

AIMS

AIMS

• We will support groups who are disadvantaged by removing barriers to increase access to sports activities.

• We will offer programmes that engage with young people to tackle gun and serious youth violence.

• We will use the power of football to provide educational pathways alongside skills training and workplace opportunities for those who are NEET.

• We will use the power of football to integrate different communities, increasing tolerance and inter-faith understanding alongside levels of trust.

• We will create safe and inclusive spaces to enjoy sport increasing the number of participants who feel connected to their local community.

• We will offer opportunities to under-represented groups including those with learning or physical disabilities or those from economically disadvantaged communities.

REBUILDING OUR CAPACITY | RECONNECTING OUR COMMUNITIES 2021 – 2024

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LUTON TOWN FC COMMUNITY TRUST’S STRATEGIC PLAN 2021 – 2024

REBUILDING OUR CAPACITY | RECONNECTING OUR COMMUNITIES 2021 – 2024

OUR IMPACT “I lost 8kg on the 12 week programme which also brought my blood pressure under control.

Meeting others like me encouraged me to make small changes in my lifestyle which have had a huge benefit and I’ve also made a couple of great friends”.

“The staff are approachable, adaptable and accommodating and are well prepared for each session they deliver. The teacher mentoring program offers staff the opportunity to up-skill and increase their knowledge and self-confidence in the delivery of their own PE sessions which has seen improved engagement in this subject”.

TEACHER,

DALE,

STOPSLEY COMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOL

FIT HATTER PARTICIPANT

“Doing our sports leader qualification at the stadium was brilliant, much better than being at school and I feel more confident now to go out and coach in front of parents and the boys!”

“Year 11 wasn’t great for me, but after two great years on the Luton Town BTEC football and sport course I am planning to go onto university and take a degree in sports science”.

IKRAM,

STEPHANIE,

BTEC STUDENT

“The football match between local officers and the community as part of the KICKS initiative was a great way breaking down barriers between the young people, Police and the wider community while raising awareness of and diverting young people in Luton away from gangs and the dangers of knife crime”.

PCSO DAN McHUGH,

BEDS POLICE & LUTON YOUTH OFFENDING

SPORTS LEADER PARTICIPANT

“I have had some problems up here with a few of the boys, but things have all been sorted thanks to the coaches and my mum – I’m not sure where I would have ended up without the coaches help at football”

TRA,

PL KICKS PARTICIPANT

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AWARDS Finalist Best Community Project 2019

Cohesion Choice 2019

Sporting Inspiration 2018

Finalist Best Community Trust

Cohesion Sports Champion 2017

Leisure & Culture Award 2016

OUR PARTNERS

REBUILDING OUR CAPACITY | RECONNECTING OUR COMMUNITIES 2021 – 2024

LUTON TOWN FC COMMUNITY TRUST’S STRATEGIC PLAN 2021 – 2024

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REBUILDING OUR CAPACITY & RECONNECTING OUR COMMUNITIES IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH THE POWER OF FOOTBALL @

community@lutontown.co.uk 01582 561622

www.

www.lutontowncommunity.co.uk/ /LTFC_Community /LTFC.COMMUNITYTRUST/ @ltfccommunity

Luton Town FC Community Trust, Kenilworth Stadium, 1 Maple Road, Luton, LU4 8AW Registered Charity No: 1123078 Trustee Board: Bob Curson (Chair), Helen Barnett, David Bunyan, Bob Calver, Hob Huque, Mike McMahon, Adrian Rogers, Sufian Sadiq, Cheryl Smart, Paul Stephens and Oliver Williams