Impact Report 2024
Chairperson’s welcome
“To make our fooTball club and communiTy beTTer Today Than iT was yesTerday”
“After an incredible 2023, the question we asked ourselves was a simple one - how can we be even better?
The question was easy, the answer was hard. However, I’m delighted to say the Norwich City Community Sports Foundation has continued to grow and evolve throughout 2024 beyond even our greatest ambition. Continuing to support the people across the region who needed it most has been more important than ever.
Last year, we engaged with a phenomenal 45,828 unique participants across our delivery through over 800,000 hours of activity.
But of course, it’s not all about numbers; what motivates us is the difference we make in people’s lives. And the overwhelming feedback is that
our impact is deep, wide reaching and life changing.
Last year, we helped children get back into school, ran dementia support sessions, held mental health running groups, set up veteran coffee mornings and, of course, delivered quite a lot of football!
None of this would be possible without the dedication of our people - our amazing partners, funders, volunteers, fundraisers, participants and workforce. Our impact wouldn’t be possible without your incredible support.”
Our purpose
We are dedicated to building healthier, happier communities and helping people from all walks of life in Norfolk unlock their full potential — with the support of Norwich City Football Club at the heart of our mission.
In 2024, our work reached over 45,000 individuals through inclusive programmes that empowered people of all ages and abilities to overcome challenges, improve their wellbeing, and unlock their potential.
By harnessing the physical and social power of sport, we help raise aspirations, support mental and physical health, and ensure that everyone can access the life-changing benefits of participation.
Adding Social Value
In the 23/24 season, we generated a staggering social value of over
£63 million
Every £1 invested in our activities generates significant economic, social, and environmental value for local communities — this is the essence of our social impact
45,828 unique participants
10,860 sessions delivered
800,101 hours of engagement participants surveyed made new friends & connections 89% participants surveyed would recommend their programme 93%
Jake Humphrey Foundation Chairperson
2024 in review
We brought together huge numbers of volunteers, sharing skills and gaining new experiences through our MyClub programme, funded by the Sky Bet EFL Building Foundations Fund.
We worked with Persimmon to launch Play and Eat, providing healthy, affordable meals for families.
Over 100 fundraisers of all ages took to the iconic Norfolk seafront for us, to take on the Coastal Walk Challenge.
Our Norwich City Cerebral Palsy Football Team secured their first ever major silverware, overcoming Chelsea in the FA Disability Cup Final.
We hosted over 95 inspirational Norwich City player appearances at our programmes and events
Lioness Lauren Hemp returned home, to officially open our full-size football pitch at The Nest.
We held our first ever Armed Forces Day at The Nest, featuring a military parade and further support ‘marketplace’.
Our Powerchair Football team achieved promotion to the WFA Premiership.
Run Norwich, our flagship fundraising event smashed records, selling out in under 24 hours, with 6,941 dedicated runners crossing the finish line.
Charity finance
In 2024, our group turnover was £6,318,519
We aim to have a diverse range of income to safeguard the charity’s sustainability and achieve our vision. Any surplus made through project delivery is invested back into our charitable objectives and future development of The Nest:
Our supporters
Hugh J Boswell
Our staff
be posiTive. respecT each oTher. TogeTher we are sTronger.
From community coaches to fresh starters to 31 years not-out – the Foundation’s workforce remains as passionate and strong as ever. 2024 saw many professional careers begin, whilst four celebrated a decade in yellow and green.
What’s next?
“As we look ahead to 2025, our focus remains firmly on growing our impact and deepening our connection with the community. We are committed to building a sustainable and diverse organisation —through partnerships, fundraising, and revenue from our facilities—while ensuring every pound spent directly supports our charitable mission. Alongside this, we continue to invest in our infrastructure and programmes, striving for excellence in everything we deliver.
In 2025, we’re particularly excited to launch the next phase of The Nest’s development with the introduction of two transformative spaces: The Store and The Box. These new additions mark significant progress in our mission to make sport and wellbeing accessible to all—offering sustainable retail options and
a cutting-edge, inclusive facility for fitness, learning, and community engagement.
At the heart of all our work is the power of Norwich City Football Club, which enables us to reach and inspire individuals across Norfolk, especially those who are hardest to engage. Our dedicated team embodies our values every day, and we are proud to foster a culture where people feel valued and empowered to make a difference. Together, we are creating a healthier, more hopeful future for our community.”
How to get involved
There are so many ways to join in, and the benefits are far-reaching. Collaborate on exciting new ventures, support causes you care about and help improve lives.
part of positive change
Thornton OBE, Chief Executive Officer