Derby County’s Weeks of Action Work Experience

As part of Weeks of Action 2020, Championship outfit Derby County provided work experience opportunities to some disabled supporters, offering employability skills and a unique and memorable experience for those taking part.

Derby County Community Trust invited two of their DS Active participants on work experience for a week and also invited one disabled supporter to work alongside club staff for the 3-0 home victory over Blackburn Rovers at the beginning of March.

In addition, the Derby County Disabled Supporters Club were outside the ground ahead of the Blackburn match as they sought to engage with disabled supporters and their families about what opportunities and support that they can provide and how to become a member.

Level Playing Field Development Officer Daniel Townley was in attendance at Pride Park on match day:

“It was great to attend Derby’s Weeks of Action match day and work alongside the Derby County Disabled Supporters Club to promote the good work they do and recruit new members. Many football clubs across the country have Disabled Supporters Clubs/Associations who work with the club to promote better access for disabled supporters.

“As the Derby fans came through Pride Park’s accessible entrance to take their seats or grab a pre-match drink, I thoroughly enjoyed speaking to many of them about the purpose and the value of the DCDSC. I did inadvertently try to recruit one lady who was a founding member of the Supporter’s Club – thankfully she saw the funny side.”

“Out on the field, Derby’s mascot Rammie was kitted out in a Weeks of Action t-shirt, promoting our annual national campaign. It’s so important to work together to build fully inclusive environments where disabled people are given the same opportunities as non-disabled people, and that’s what the campaign is all about.”

“I was thrilled to see that Derby had also provided work experience opportunities to some disabled supporters as part of their Weeks of Action participation. This kind of opportunity offers employability skills and a wonderfully memorable experience for those taking part.”

The club produced a short video around the importance of campaigns such as Weeks of Action and a round-up of the clubs activities.