Claydon based Growing Places, run by social enterprise Realise Futures, is sponsoring the home kit of Stowmarket United Football Club for the next three years.
Growing Places provides work and work experience for people with disabilities and/or disadvantages through its local box of veg service and all the profits get ploughed back into the business to provide more work opportunities for people with disabilities.
Horticulture Manager Eleanor Gilbert said: “We are pleased to have been offered the opportunity to sponsor the home kit of Stowmarket United Football Club. We are looking forward to building a great partnership with
the club over the next three years and further our relationship with the local community.
“Our box of veg service delivers in and around Stowmarket and Ipswich. We grow produce all year round on our two-acre site in Claydon and support local growers by purchasing seasonal produce. The team at Growing Places are all very excited to get involved with the football club as we hope to strengthen ties with local people and businesses in and around the Stowmarket area.”
Stowmarket United Manager Liam de Silva says: “I am pleased and excited to say Stowmarket United will be sponsored by and working with Growing Places. Having visited them I can say how nice it was to see a business making a real difference. My son has autism and there isn’t much around for people with disabilities but Growing Places has not only given them a purpose but also somewhere socially where they are always accepted and can feel comfortable.
“This partnership came at the perfect time. Having just taken over at Stowmarket United, I want to rebrand the club into a community club that helps all and gives football to all as well. We are looking into creating more opportunities for local businesses and the people of Stowmarket and surrounding areas to play football no matter what skill level. We have already looked into a women’s team as well as a disability team in an effort to grow the club and the message that comes with it. I’m looking forward to our three-year partnership and achieving all of our goals and to bring a bit of joy back to a world with so much uncertainty. We’re very proud to say we’re working with Growing Places and we both have the same core message.”
Growing Places is one of six businesses run by Ipswich-based social enterprise Realise Futures in Suffolk which specialises in employment and skills development opportunities for people who are disabled and/or disadvantaged.
Operating in Suffolk and Essex, Realise Futures employs around 250 people, 41 per cent of whom have a disability.
For more information or to order a veg box visit:
www.growingplacessuffolk.co.uk or www.realisefutures.org.