The Pompey legend, Alan Knight, visited Portsmouth’s social care provider, Community Integrated Care, to celebrate the launch of its pioneering social inclusion programme in partnership with Popmey in the Community, the charitable arm of Portsmouth F.C.
The evening saw the 2019/2020 matchday launch of Portsmouth F. C’s groundbreaking Learning Disability team, sponsored by Community Integrated Care. The launch represents another fantastic achievement for Pompey in the Community, who were recently awarded South East Checkatrade ‘Community Club of the Year’ as part of the 2018 EFL Awards.
A celebration of the launch took place with the Portsmouth F.C legend visiting the charity’s regional office in Wickham. Alan, who holds the record for the most appearances for a single club by a goalkeeper (playing 801 games overall for Portsmouth), met both colleagues and people supported by Community Integrated Care.
At Fratton Park, the charity was treated to pitch side access as they watched the first team train in the charity’s T-shirts – a bold statement by the League 1 club to bring social care to the forefront of football.
The fun didn’t stop there as Gareth Burns, 28, who is supported by Community Integrated Care had the honour of being the match ball carrier, leading the players out on to the hallowed turf.
The innovative partnership will create a whole host of new opportunities for people supported by the charity, and aims to promote the development of skills, confidence and positive experiences for people with learning disabilities. The launch has made a huge statement about social inclusion.
Community Integrated Care’s Managing Director for the South and Central, Martin McGuigan commented, “We’re absolutely thrilled to be working in partnership with Pompey in the Community and Portsmouth F.C and are looking forward to this partnership thriving in the future.”
He continued, “We’re proud to be an extremely person-centered organisation and with partnerships such as this one we can create a whole host of amazing opportunities and unforgettable moments for the people we support.”
