Plymouth Argyle has become an official Patron of Devon & Plymouth Chamber of Commerce.
The city’s leading football club was founded more than 130 years ago and is based at Home Park Stadium. The Pilgrims’ first team currently plays in League One of the English Football League under manager Steven Schumacher.
The Chamber is delighted that our exciting new partnership with the Pilgrims will also shine the spotlight on Argyle Community Trust.
Argyle Community Trust is the official charity for the Devon club, and uses the prestige of football and the reach of the Greens to inspire, engage and help people of all ages to achieve their full potential.
The Trust has a clear vision, along with its national partners, to be an active, inspirational and inclusive community hub for the South West.
Their dedicated team aims to have a positive impact on a range of groups within society and to provide the local community with the opportunity to explore their full potential, improve their life chances and aspirations through the power of football and Plymouth Argyle FC.
It is hoped that this new patronage with the Devon & Plymouth Chamber will open up new opportunities for the Trust and the important work it continues to carry out in the city and beyond.
Dwain Morgan, Head of Business and Impact at Argyle Community Trust, said: “Argyle Community Trust are incredibly excited to become a Patron of the Devon & Plymouth Chamber of Commerce.
“For us, we see this as a unique chance to increase our local visibility and become better connected with many of the region’s strongest businesses.”
The populations that Argyle Community Trust serves face barriers in relation to health, wellbeing, education, employment, levels of physical activity, high deprivation in some areas and low attainment levels.
One new initiative that aims to break down those barriers is Project 35, a brand-new community social impact project for Plymouth in partnership with Ginsters and Argyle.
This landmark social action initiative is aimed at reducing poverty in the city, through a comprehensive campaign of fund-raising, awareness raising, social outreach, food donations, education, and charity support.
The Project’s titular number, 35, represents the percentage of children in Plymouth reported to be living in poverty in some wards of our city, according to the most recent (2019) pre-pandemic data.
Project 35 will also adorn the front of the Greens’ men’s, women’s and Academy shirts for the duration of the 2022/23 season to raise awareness of the harsh reality that many local families are facing amid a cost-of-living crisis.
Dwain added: “We are excited about the opportunity to explore synergies that exist between local businesses’ strategic directions and that of our own.
“We believe that our work in the sport, health and wellbeing, and community development space aligns closely to many members’ CSR strategies, and we are passionate about collaborating with those to create a positive societal change across the region.”
Argyle Community Trust also runs the Plymouth Argyle Women’s Team, who play their matches under manager Ryan Perks at Manadon Sports and Community Hub and occasionally at Home Park.
We’re thrilled to announce that as part of Argyle’s patronage, the Chamber is now the Official Women’s Team Digital Partner.
Chamber Chief Executive Stuart Elford said: “Plymouth Argyle has a proud history, and its Community Trust plays a crucial part in the community throughout the South West and across the world.
“We’re also thrilled to be the Official Women’s Team Digital Partner, and we’re looking forward to watching the players in action during the forthcoming season.
“This new relationship with the Chamber aims to strengthen the reach and impact the club is already having here in the South West and beyond.
“Our Patrons play a unique role in developing the future of our region and the Chamber is far stronger with Argyle’s support and Patronage.”
