With nearly 20,000 hours of engagement with the local community, over £600,000 of financial investment into the area and partnerships with 82 different organisations, 2018 was a year of huge success for Colchester United Football in the Community.
Having launched their Unite Our Communities strategy at the start of the year, there followed twelve months of unprecedented growth and progress for the U’s community scheme, which has now broadened its work to deliver to more people than ever before.
And the successes of the past year have been celebrated in a newly released 2018 Impact Report, chronicling the great work carried out by the community coaches.
Take a look at our 2018 report HERE
U's Head of Community Corin Haines said: "The first year of the delivery of our Unite our Communities 2018-2021 strategy has been a hugely rewarding and successful one providing a clear guide for staff, partner organisations and participants of the direction we are taking.
"We have an incredible workforce that have an outstanding impact on our communities. They make a genuine difference to thousands of people’s lives every single day - their hard work and dedication in the background often goes unnoticed.
"The strong foundations that have been built since the inception of Colchester United Football in the Community in 2013 has enabled our engagement levels to rise, together with increased investment in the local community.
"Ensuring manageable growth whilst providing continual high quality delivery has been at the forefront of our objectives, as a result providing a positive impact on people’s lives.’
"We are working with an increased number of partners and participants, many of whom are featured throughout this report. We have a strong brand and infrastructure in place that has enabled us to deliver such a positive impact to date.
"This is underpinned by an exceptional football club at the heart of the community and without their support, our achievements to date would not have been possible.
"I hope you find that our 'Unite Our Communities Impact Report 2018' provides a beneficial insight into the work and impact we have on and within our communities. We are proud of the work we undertake and our achievements. We possess a skilled and driven workforce which thrives on working to achieve so much more in the years to come."