Supporting Grassroots Community Football

ID Medical is proud to continue its association with, and sponsorship of, the Woburn and Wavendon Football Club for another 2 years. This 100% voluntary run, community football club enables over 500 local residents from across the Milton Keynes and Central Bedfordshire area to stay fit and active, develop their football skills and experiences, and most importantly, have fun.

 “ID Medical’s financial investment and in-kind support is crucial in enabling the club to provide vital services to the local community by offering so many accessible footballing opportunities across all ages for their boys and girls teams, mixed teams, ‘Wildcats’ (under 6 year olds) and their flagship ‘Goalability’ programme, which gives young people with disabilities equal opportunities to play and enjoy football.”

Robert Hill, Chairman of Woburn & Wavendon Football Club 

As a responsible local employer, we recognise the importance and value sponsorship brings in terms of benefits to the community. As well as the recognised positive physical health impacts of accessing regular recreational sporting activity, there are also significant multipliers in terms of how such investment in grassroots football can generate other positive societal impacts for the local community and further afield. New UEFA research* suggests economic benefits are realised through membership fees, job creation and investment in local community football facilities, and, the hugely significant “implied” social benefits of involvement in organised football are pointing to improved educational performance, better integration, reduced likelihood of people getting involved in the criminal justice system and even people’s greater propensity to be employed.

On the health front, playing football is known to improve wellbeing, and reduce risk of type II diabetes and heart disease. There is also growing evidence around its positive impact on people’s mental health in terms of anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia

Our CEO, Deenu Patel, says: “Identifying and supporting local grassroots community organisations is a really important part of ID Medical’s DNA. We know that our financial assistance and personal support can make a real difference for so many people of all ages to improve their health and well-being, which is something so close to all our hearts. We are proud to be involved in such a great community programme that is so much fun too.”
 
Robert Hill Chairman of Woburn & Wavendon Football Club added: “We are so very proud of our partnership with ID Medical, and are incredibly grateful for their ongoing support over many years. Their generous financial sponsorship enables this club to offer opportunities to so many local people to experience this great sport, as well as providing enjoyment to their families and friends. It’s great to see such valued support from our local business community.”

We look forward to the next 2 years and what we can achieve, together.

*Ref: Dr Tim Crabbe, CEO of Substance, ‘The Sustainability Report – Quantifying the economic and social impact of football’ 2021.