It’s almost one year since we first announced the exciting partnership between The Wilf Ward Family Trust and York City Football Club. We are delighted to announce that this year we have further developed the relationship with a formal partnership as York City’s Charity Partner of the Year for 2024/2025!
This collaboration marks a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to enriching the lives of the individuals we support, while also strengthening our ties with the local community. We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to participate fully in their community, and our partnership with York City FC reflects this shared vision.
Following the collaboration with The Wilf Ward Family Trust, York City FC has implemented a series of enhancements to their stadium, aimed at fostering inclusivity and improving accessibility for individuals with disabilities:
Quiet Zone – the Club have introduced a Quite Zone specifically to cater for neuro-diverse match attendees. YCFC Volunteers on hand to meet guests, show them to their seats, and help to make them feel comfortable.
Audio Devices available to book for partially-sighted or blind match attendees.
Ear Defenders and Sensory Packs available to book for attendees with auditory and sensory processing difficulties.
Regular Familiarisation Sessions for those who may benefit to explore the stadium with the guidance of Club staff and volunteers. The goal is to help individuals find the best areas that suit their specific needs and preferences ahead of attending a game.
Makaton introduced on the big screens – during games, some Makaton videos are displayed on the big screens both inside and outside of the stadium for the benefit of those who use signs to communicate. The videos show phrases like ‘Welcome to The LNER Community Stadium’, ‘Goal!’ and ‘Come on City!’
The Club, in collaboration with The Wilf Ward Family Trust, has developed an inclusive match day guidance document for our supporters. We invite you to view this document by clicking here.
Football, with its universal appeal and ability to bring people together, offers a powerful platform for promoting inclusion and accessibility. By working closely with York City FC, we aim to create more opportunities for the individuals we support to engage with the sport, whether as players, fans, or volunteers. By making the stadium and games more accessible, we are not only breaking down barriers but also creating a sense of belonging for individuals with learning disabilities.
Stay tuned for updates on our upcoming events and initiatives with York City FC. We can’t wait to share more about the impact of this partnership in the months to come!