COMMUNITY TRUST LAUNCHES 2020 ANNUAL REPORT

Dundee United Community Trust (DUCT) is delighted to announce the launch of its 2020 Annual Report which can be viewed here. 

In December 2019, DUCT set out a new strategic plan at a well-attended stakeholder launch at Tannadice Park and this report provides the first update of progress against that new strategy which set a clear mission to work with Dundee United FC to improve the lives of people in Dundee and the surrounding areas. 

In realising the goals set out in the strategy, DUCT’s vision is to be the most innovative and impactful community trust of its kind in Scotland, recognised as a key player in sport and community development locally and as a strong example of best practice in sport for change. 

To guide the work of the Community Trust over the next five years, new strategic pillars were set:  Healthy Lifestyles, Lifelong Learning, Sport for All and Uniting the Community. 

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic taking hold of everyday life so soon after the plan was unveiled, the Community Trust is pleased to announce a very positive year of impact.  The Annual Report recognises that the accumulative investment in the local community made by the Club and Trust has now reached over £1 million since relaunching in 2017. 

It also celebrates that the Club’s Community Trust is now a multi-award-winning key player in the field, having received a bronze award in the UEFA Grassroots Awards in the category of Best Professional Club in 2020.  The report also reflects on the individual impact it has made on people's lives during what have been the most trying years in generations; with Archie – who was part of our Festive Friends project – confirming that the support received was “a life saver”. 

The report also outlines how the work of the trust contributes to outcomes locally (City Plan for Dundee), nationally (Scotland’s National Performance Framework) and even internationally (United Nations Sustainable Development Goals). 

Jamie Kirk, Chief Executive for the Trust stated, “Some of the key statistics we’ve highlighted in the report demonstrate significant progress in year one, even against the backdrop of the most significant global crisis in generations.  To have been able to support thousands of local people in 2020 is fantastic but we’re well keen for this to simply be our benchmark.  We’ve laid good foundations in year one and are indebted to the Club for their extensive support during the year.  We now look forward to building on this in year two and beyond.” 

As a Director of Dundee United FC and the Chair of DUCT, David Dorward added, “The Club and Community Trust are aware just how difficult this last year has been for everyone and we’re pleased to have played our part in improving people’s lives through the wide variety of projects we provide.  This Annual Report highlights all of the work the team has managed to deliver and we couldn’t do it without the dedication and commitment of our trustees, volunteers, staff members and partners. While over the last two years the Trust has been successful in winning national and European awards, that is not why we exist. We honestly get as much, if not more satisfaction from seeing the positive impact we are having on our fellow citizens' lives here in Dundee.”

For further information on the work of the Community Trust, or to get involved, please contact enquiries@dundeeunitedct.co.uk.