Introduction

our strategic objectives

Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire face many challenges, several of which we can contribute to overcoming. Our strategic objectives are outcomes focused and create purpose and direction to our work.

OUR OUTCOMES

• To increase levels of sport and physical activity and participation in sport by providing a core offer of opportunities for children, young people, and adults.

• To increase the level of aspiration and attainment by developing the essential life skills of people across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire. Providing access to positive learning environments, training, and employability workshops. • To reduce health inequalities by promoting a broader understanding of how to live a healthier, happier lifestyle, providing activities and support that foster improved life choices. • To create opportunities for positive social change, by bringing people together and being at the heart of growing and diverse communities, providing a menu of needs led support to those who need it most.

OUR THEMES OF WORK

We will achieve our outcomes via 4 key themes of work:

SPORT & PHYSICAL ACTIVITY:

Improve Sport & Physical Activity

Opportunities – We will use the power of sport and the brand of the football club to inspire people of all ages to become more active and to increase levels of physical activity across all our communities. We aim to:

• Become a ‘go to’ partner in the delivery of sport and physical activity, and create influential relationships at local, regional, and national level • Tackle inequalities of participation in sport and physical activity by providing safe access to regulated community activity for more young people, females,

BAME groups, people with a disability and people from our most disadvantaged communities • Use the facilities of Port Vale FC and those we partner across the region to deliver a range of programmes and associated activities that offer a sustainable performance and enjoyable pathway for all • Champion and raise awareness of the importance of healthy and active lifestyles amongst Port Vale FC supporters and potential new fans for the future

HEALTH & MENTAL WELLBEING:

Improve Health & Mental Wellbeing

awareness – We will promote a better understanding of physical and mental health issues. We will proactively support active, healthy, and better informed lifestyle choices, contributing to reduced health inequalities within our communities. We aim to:

• Raise awareness and foster resilience by supporting national and community led campaigns that influence positive health and mental wellbeing • Develop more opportunities for people who have been diagnosed with physical and mental health related illnesses to engage in activity and sport • Address the growing trend of inactivity by creating more opportunities for people to adopt positive habits and reduce their risk of physical and mental health related illnesses

• Nurture safe, vibrant, and supportive environments, which promote and encourage a healthy work, life, and social balance

EDUCATION & EMPLOYABILITY:

Improve Education and Employment

Opportunities – Using the backdrop of the professional football club, we aim to provide inspirational learning, personal development, and enterprising employment opportunities that will raise levels of aspiration, attainment, and achievement across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire.

We aim to:

• Inspire primary and secondary school children through sports related education, teamwork, and competition • Support vulnerable and disadvantaged children and young people to narrow the attainment gap by offering appropriate and high quality education opportunities through sport • Engage with local employers and national agencies to increase the awareness of employment, enterprise, and entrepreneurship opportunities • Increase and develop our post-16 education programmes (FE and HE), fostering positive attitudes to learning and supporting progression into further education and future employment

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:

Improve Inclusion & Community Cohesion

opportunities – Using the power, reach, and reputation of our brand we will deliver innovative projects, programmes, and interventions, responding to the needs of our communities, especially those in the most deprived areas. We aim to:

• Through our Community Club model be the ‘go to’ delivery partner which collaborates effectively with key local groups and leaders • Align to national, regional, and local opportunities, such as Opportunity Area, Social Mobility,

Regeneration, Isolation and Loneliness initiatives • Develop, support, and upskill a volunteer workforce, ensuring that all our bespoke and place based programmes are safe, sustainable, and owned by the community • Recognise the importance of inclusion and diversity, and celebrate and reward individual and community achievements