Starting from September 2025, the Foundation will deliver a six-week oral health programme in primary schools in areas of high-need in Ipswich.

Oral hygiene is a prevalent issue in young people across the UK, with 30,587 teeth extracted in children due to decay in 2023 to 2024, over 10% of those in the East of England.

SHINE is supported by the Premier League and Professional Footballers’ Association. Administered through the Premier League Foundation, the funding helps football clubs to tackle inequality and respond to local challenges, supporting people and their communities to be more inclusive.

The project is also supported by the NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board (SNEE ICB), who have partnered with the Foundation on a number of programmes including Active Blues and Advantage Mentoring Talking Tactics.

SHINE provides pupils with the knowledge and confidence to take ownership of their oral health, as well as an oral hygiene kit to aid their development across the six-week programme and beyond.

The Foundation has partnered with University of Suffolk Dental CIC to deliver the programme, with nurses and therapy students delivering workshops alongside Foundation staff. The University will also be providing pupils and their families with NHS dental care upon request.

For more information on SHINE, contact Oral Health Project Officer Kym Brown at kym.brown@itfcfoundation.co.uk.

KYM BROWN

ORAL HEALTH PROJECT OFFICER

Email: kym.brown@itfcfoundation.co.uk

Tel: 01473 978049

JAMES PAYNE

HEAD OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Email: james.payne@itfcfoundation.co.uk

Tel: 01473 978049

Ipswich Town Foundation is committed to ensuring everyone involved with the Foundation feels safe and welcome. Children, young people and adults at risk are valued and respected in line with our own values.