Town have launched new matchday sensory packs, which will be available from this Saturday's home fixture against Burton Albion.

The sensory packs, which come in in an official Ipswich Town Foundation drawstring bag, are designed to help fans, particularly those with autism, enjoy their experience at Portman Road.

They contain a disability awareness lanyard, noise-cancelling headphones and a branded fidget spinner and soft stress ball.

The packs have been funded by Blues supporter Steve Kirby’s £26,000 donation from Vodafone’s VeryMe rewards, as well as donations made following former Supporters Club chair Martin Swallow’s funeral in November.

Sensory packs can be secured on the day of the game or in advance by contacting the club’s disability liaison officer Lee Smith via lee.smith@itfc.co.uk when purchasing tickets. A £10 card-only deposit will be taken when collecting the pack, but will be refunded providing it is returned in its original condition at the end of the game.

The packs can be collected and returned at the Disabled Supporters Matchday Ticket Office on Constantine Road.

Young Town fan Sophia was given the chance to try out one of the packs at the Forest Green Rovers match earlier in the month.

“The pack that Sophia was given has been absolutely amazing,” Christina, Sophia's mum, told the club website.

“It makes it more accessible for children like Sophia and others to be able to access football matches.

“It's absolutely fantastic for the club to be that inclusive and for Sophia to feel so included.”

Town initially launched sensory packs in the summer of 2019 and they are part of the club’s ongoing commitment to making Portman Road matches accessible for disabled supporters and as part of the Blues’ support for Level Playing Field's Unite For Action campaign.

Photo: ITFC

CoopersRedJersey added 17:43 - Feb 28 Club keeps getting better and better. Long may it continue
5

newburyblues added 18:49 - Feb 28 Absolutely brilliant idea! Helps the inclusion for those who otherwise wouldn't have an enjoyable experience on match day.
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im_marcacus added 19:36 - Feb 28 💙🤍
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nowinecrisis added 19:38 - Feb 28 Big thank you to those that funded this - we have some great support and a progressive club that
3

Horsham added 20:06 - Feb 28 Great initiative. As a parent of two autistic kids I'm so pleased the club are doing this. I'm not sure it'll persuade them to come to PR with their old man but if it means someone feels included that otherwise wouldn't then that's fantastic!
3

Churchman added 20:53 - Feb 28 Brilliant! Anything that helps everyone enjoy the fun of football gets my approval. Well done ITFC. Love it.
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Safetyfirstmrwark added 21:54 - Feb 28 Good work ITFC. The intention speaks volumes
2

BurleysGloryDays added 23:51 - Feb 28 Terrific initiative. Great to see care and awareness and inclusion for a set of fans and their families who are too often overlooked in society. Big respect to those families and let's hope that even if match days prove too much, the club can offer alternative shared experiences and safe spaces to be part of in comfort.
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PortmanTerrorist added 08:14 - Mar 1 Picking up on the best bits other Clubs are doing is the way to go, given how far behind we have been in all aspects of the Club. And such a wonderful thing too as football grounds can be intimidating places and we must embrace the whole community if we want to truly succeed as a Club.
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Bazza8564 added 18:23 - Mar 1 This is a great initiative and I really hope it helps us broaden our support in this sector. So pleased that the club is thinking laterally whilst there are so many on field priorities
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luckydiddy added 10:32 - Mar 3 As a parent of 2 autistic teenagers both hypersensitive to sounds not seen these packs before. Would love to be able to purchase to keep so they can use them at all kinds of events and even day to day.
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