ANNUAL REPORT Supported by:

Transcription

1 ANNUAL REPORT Supported by:

2 Table of Contents Title Page no. Welcome from the Chairman - David Bernstein 3 Our vision - 'Total Football - Total Access' 4 Background 5 What we do 7 Advice and guidance 7 CAFE website 7 CAFE Conference Total Football Total Access 7 Launch of the UEFA and CAFE Good Practice Guide 8 UEFA Finals in Official charity of UEFA EURO UEFA EURO 2012 Respect Inclusion 10 About audio-descriptive commentary 12 Developing a network of disabled fans groups 14 Join the Club 15 Spreading the word 15 Seeking further sponsorship 15 In summary 16 Board of Trustees 16 CAFE Society 17 Financial Reports 18 2

3 Welcome from the Chairman - David Bernstein It is with great pleasure that I present this Annual Report which provides an insight into the tremendous progress made by the charity since our foundation in August We have assembled an excellent team of trustees, advisors, ambassadors, volunteers and staff operational across Europe and their hard work and dedication has seen the organisation gain European-wide respect and a reputation as the leading expert in accessible stadiums and inclusive matchdays for all. The period was an especially successful year for CAFE and this Annual Report gives details of the extent of our projects and achievements. I wish to pay special tribute to UEFA for their unwavering support which has enabled us to make such good progress at this early stage. UEFA further extended their commitment in 2012 by appointing CAFE as the official charity for UEFA EURO 2012 and in safeguarding our core funding until 2017 in making us a CSR associate partner. The first 3 years have been extremely fruitful for the charity but we still have a great deal to do to ensure a future that ensures Total Football Total Access for all. To that end, one of my key tasks in the coming year will be to secure additional funding to help make that possible. I hope you find this report informative and enjoyable and, if you are able to offer support or sponsorship, we would be delighted to hear from you. With Best Wishes, David Bernstein, CAFE Chairman. 3

4 Our vision - Total Football - Total Access In August 2009, UEFA awarded its Monaco Prize to establish a European wide charity to help improve access and to ensure a problem free matchday experience at European football clubs and stadiums for disabled football fans. The Centre for Access to Football in Europe (CAFE) was formed with the purpose to achieve equal access to stadia across Europe and by using the special influence of football to ensure that many more disabled people can enjoy a football match as an inclusive experience. Furthermore, because football embraces diversity in all its forms, CAFE aims to raise disability awareness and the importance of good access more widely throughout the UEFA region. ( Europe refers to the 53 member Football Associations of UEFA). CAFE acts as a consultant, friend and partner sharing good practice and by providing advice and guidance to all our stakeholders. As such, CAFE works closely with UEFA and its 53 member associations including their clubs, disabled supporters groups (national and local), disability and equality NGOs and supporter networks. CAFE also works in partnership with the European Union, Council of Europe and the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport, national governments and the European Committee for Standardisation to encourage continued progressive legislation and guidance that supports equal access for disabled people. CAFE has assembled a dedicated team of trustees, staff, volunteers, advisors and ambassadors who are all working together across Europe to help create Total Football Total Access. CAFE CENTRE FOR ACCESS TO FOOTBALL IN EUROPE 4

5 Background There are more than 80 million disabled people living in the European Union alone - equivalent to the populations of Belgium, the Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary and the Netherlands combined; in other words, more than 10% of the population. One in four Europeans has a disabled family member and six out of ten Europeans count a disabled person within their circle of friends and colleagues. People with limited mobility represent more than 40% of the population. In many regions, disabled people are still isolated and socially and economically excluded, often house-bound and limited by inaccessible surroundings and a lack of opportunity in all aspects of daily living. The barriers that affect disabled people may be physical, sensory, intellectual, psychological or attitudinal. A truly accessible environment is one where people are freely able to express their independence, and where all barriers to integration have been removed. Moreover, accessible built environments are economically attractive; functionally they are more flexible and the infrastructure is more sustainable with less need for expensive adaptations at a later stage. Disabled people should always be seen as valued customers, with good access not only considered a moral issue but also making good business sense. More than 50% of disabled people have never attended a sporting or public event and at least one third of disabled Europeans have never travelled abroad or even participated in dayexcursions because of inaccessible venues and services. 97% of Europeans think that something should be done to ensure better integration of disabled people into society. An accessible environment is vital to ensuring equality for disabled people and without good access the basic human rights of disabled people are compromised or removed and their rights to expression and free will immediately become more restricted. 5

6 Background continued... This naturally includes football stadiums and equal access for disabled football fans. Many disabled people across the world are also football supporters but many can still only aspire to become match-going football supporters. CAFE has many testimonials of how attending sporting events can be life-changing for some disabled people who often report an increase in their self-esteem and a new sense of well-being and belonging. This is largely because they can feel included in society, sometimes for the first time ever. Some disabled people have described a dramatic change to their daily lives with some gaining the confidence to seek out other inclusive societal opportunities including employment and a fuller social life. The long term benefits of CAFE s works and projects are almost unimaginable with many more disabled people enjoying live football matches for the first time. However, it is quite possible that the outcomes will be so far reaching as to change the way in which some cultures view disability and hence disabled people may be truly empowered and included for the first time within their own societies. With this in mind, CAFE continues to work in cooperation with UEFA and its associations to help ensure that the game is better able to offer an accessible and inclusive matchday experience for all supporters. Football continues to act as a powerful catalyst for change both within the game and by setting an example to the wider society and so by helping to improve access and inclusion in the daily lives of disabled people with the removal of the barriers that still limit and exclude them. CAFE is now well established and widely recognised as the leading organisation with the purpose of achieving equal access and inclusion to football matches. 6

7 What we do Advice and guidance CAFE offers advice and guidance to football clubs, national associations and their leagues to help ensure an accessible stadium and inclusive match day services for all fans. As part of this undertaking, CAFE is working closely with UEFA to ensure that its finals and tournaments are welcoming and inclusive to all. CAFE Website CAFE hosts a multilingual website which is available in 10 languages. This resource provides a European wide resource of information, references, links and news items relevant to CAFE s works and to its stakeholders. You can find the CAFE website at: It is also possible to follow CAFE on Facebook - Centre for Access to Football in Europe and Twitter Our social networks are regularly updated with relevant information and news items. CAFE Conference: Total Football - Total Access At the end of 2011, CAFE hosted the first ever European Conference dedicated to creating accessible stadia and an inclusive matchday experience at Wembley National Stadium, London. The event saw more than 170 delegates from 18 different countries come together from across Europe to share good practice solutions and discuss practical solutions to create Total Football Total Access. The Conference hosted a number of high-profile speakers from many different backgrounds and highlights of the event included the first 'twinning' of two disabled fans groups - Hibernian FC and FC Groningen. CAFE also welcomed many huge names from the world of football, such as CAFE Chairman David Bernstein, England international defender Danny Mills and former Manchester United winger Danny Wallace. They were joined by Polish legend Dariusz Dziekanowski, former Chelsea captain Paul Elliott and ex-scottish midfielder Tony Higgins. Representatives of UEFA and some of Europe's biggest clubs were also present. To find out more about the conference, to watch videos of the speakers, or to read testimonials from a selection of delegates, please visit: /Conference-2011.aspx The second European Conference is planned for April 2014 and will be hosted in Ukraine. 7

8 What we do continued... Launch of the UEFA and CAFE Good Practice Guide - Access for All This joint publication of the UEFA and CAFE Good Practice Guide to Creating an Accessible Stadium and Matchday Experience - Access for All - was launched at the CAFE Conference and has since been translated to 13 languages (and an accessible version) receiving European-wide acclaim. The aim of the guide is to provide a benchmark of good practice for both new and existing stadiums, offering practical, clear solutions that will help football clubs, national associations and stadium managers to deliver high-quality grounds with facilities and services that are accessible, inclusive and welcoming for all. The authors have tried to create a structure that mirrors a walkthrough of a stadium on matchday. However, the intention is also that each section can be consulted individually. You can download a copy of the Access for All guide via the CAFE website at: gathering of disabled people at a public place or event in the history of Romania. This ensured the visibility of disabled people alongside their peers and helped to raise awareness amongst the wider society. In December, CAFE was invited back to Bucharest with our Managing Director, Joyce Cook interviewed live on national state television at the International Day of Disabled People s Gala. Further progress was made at the Allianz Arena in Germany with the UEFA Champions League Final in Munich seeing the addition of a further 100 wheelchair user places at the stadium. These seats have remained as a permanent legacy for local disabled fans bringing the total available on matchdays to 180 wheelchair user places plus companions. UEFA EURO 2012 saw a substantial increase in the numbers of disabled people attending football matches in Poland and Ukraine with record attendances at the tournament. Each of the 8 EURO 2012 host stadia now accommodates many more disabled fans at each match as a lasting legacy of the tournament. 8 UEFA Finals in 2012 CAFE worked alongside UEFA and its 2 hosts for the 2012 UEFA Europa Cup Final in Bucharest and the UEFA Champions League Final in Munich. The Europa Cup Final saw the largest ever Ukrainian disabled fans outside the Olympic Stadium, Kiev. Prior to UEFA EURO 2012, it had been reported that only a handful of disabled fans had regularly attended matches in Poland and Ukraine; many hundreds are now attending matches each and every week.

9 What we do continued... Official charity of UEFA EURO 2012 CAFE was named as the official tournament charity with UEFA pledging 3,000 for each goal scored at UEFA EURO The ball found the back of the net 76 times and in turn CAFE received 228,000 to help fund their work to improve access and facilities for disabled fans at football matches. Additionally, UEFA s Charity Ticket Sales Programme held an auction for supporters to bid on pre-reserved match tickets. Thousands of offers were made from all across Europe, some up to ten times the base price for tickets, with all profits made to be donated to the tournament charity. CAFE was delighted to receive an additional 175,000 through the auction. This was a fantastic opportunity for the organisation, both in terms of fundraising and identity. This funding has been dedicated to continuing CAFE s works as a legacy in Poland and Ukraine. After the final whistle, CAFE managing director Joyce Cook said: "It's been an incredible tournament for CAFE and Respect Inclusion, and we'd like to say a huge 'thank you' to UEFA for appointing us as the official charity of EURO 2012 and to everyone who donated. In doing so, UEFA has not only ensured its own generous funding donation, but has also helped us to shine a bright light on the important topic of inclusion and access for disabled fans. Without good access, disabled people are quite simply excluded from social events such as football," she added: "We will use all the funds raised to build on the ground-breaking work already undertaken with local partners in the region, so that even more disabled fans can enjoy live matches in the future. 9

10 What we do continued... UEFA EURO 2012 Respect Inclusion - Football with No Limits CAFE delivered the official UEFA EURO 2012 Respect Inclusion project - Football with no Limits in cooperation with local disability partners. The project was run simultaneously in Poland and Ukraine with special focus around the 8 host cities included a number of key aspects. Firstly, access advisory groups were established in both countries to help improve access to the host stadia, fan zones and to public places and businesses in each host city. Access Advisory Group meeting in Kiev Special attention was paid to local businesses (such as restaurants, bars, hotels and banks) and public spaces in a 2km perimeter around each stadium with the aim to improve the tournament experience for disabled fans and visitors. The project provided specialist training for more than 570 local volunteers including youths, unemployed and disabled people, and media and architectural students. Respect inclusion merchandise being manufactured by a supplier employing disabled people in Ukraine Each gained new skills and expertise towards future employment and a better understanding of inclusion and the importance of creating a barrier free society. The volunteers acted as assessors carrying out access appraisals of local businesses. Local suppliers, who employ disabled people, were sourced to produce the Respect Inclusion project materials including clothing manufacturers for volunteers uniforms so by helping to support local jobs for disabled people. This story was covered by uefa.com to further promote awareness. 10

11 What we do continued... UEFA EURO 2012 Respect Inclusion - Football with No Limits continued... More than 5000 public spaces and local businesses were assessed with help-sheets distributed that offered low cost solutions to improve access for disabled customers. Venues that provided an inclusive welcome to all were officially recognised by the project as a Respect Inclusion disabled friendly zone and were Volunteers training in Lviv rewarded with an official certificate and sticker that could be displayed at the front of the premises and recognised by visitors as an accessible place during the tournament. Online access information guides were published to further assist disabled visitors to the region during EURO 2012 and as a Respect Inclusion disabled legacy with 3 friendly zone sticker - Poland dedicated online access guides developed hosted by our partners in Poland and Ukraine and by CAFE. The project also provided an audio-descriptive commentary service for partially sighted and blind fans at each UEFA EURO 2012 match. 48 volunteers were given specialist training by CAFE s appointed partners who had previously provided this service during UEFA EURO Volunteers included media students, and with the training including a module on disability awareness and feedback from local blind organisations, each gained a wider understanding of the importance of inclusion and providing accessible media services. This initiative was ground breaking in the region and the service is now being successfully delivered at stadiums and other public venues and arenas across Poland and Ukraine. This part of the project was generously co-funded by UEFA and the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport (EPAS), Council of Europe with EPAS acting as a critical friend and partner to CAFE and our works. Access Advisory Group meeting in Kiev 11

12 What we do continued... About audio-descriptive commentary Most partially sighted and blind people do not travel to football matches or live events where there is no audio-described commentary service. As such, they may be excluded from many cultural activities that most of society would take for granted. Partially sighted fan receiving audio-descriptive commentary at match in Poland. To ensure better inclusion within football stadia, an audio-described commentary service should be provided for match-going partially sighted and blind fans. This may also assist hard of hearing and Deaf fans. Live commentary can be provided in a number of different formats and by using various mediums. An easy way to consider audio-commentary is to think about how a commentator usually delivers information via the radio and TV. Both are different in that the listener of a radio programme relies completely on the description of an event or match whereas a TV viewer will usually pick up much of the information in a visual context alongside a commentary or dialogue. The key to a good audio-description service is to ensure a good commentator. At a live event, an audio-described commentator will provide a dedicated commentary with additional information for people without a visual view of the match or stadium activities. The specially trained commentator provides additional narration that describes all significant visual information such as body language, facial expression, scenery, action, clothing, colours and anything else that is important to conveying the image, venue, match, event or surrounding ambience. Partially sighted fan with audio description commentators in Donetsk. 12

13 What we do continued... About audio-descriptive commentary continued... During the match, the commentator should describe the on-pitch action rather than talking about statistics or tactics or providing lengthy summaries of previous action. Their training should include an introduction to visual awareness followed by sessions on voice, technique, preparation and language. Audio-description training in Warsaw, April In the context of a live football match, audio-descriptive commentary ensures that the partially sighted or blind fan (listener) has a complete understanding of the match he or she is attending and is able to more fully enjoy the match day experience alongside fellow fans. To receive this dedicated service, a partially sighted or blind fan simply picks-up or tunes into the match day audio-described commentary via a headset (receiver) or personal radio and the commentary is transmitted by the commentator (to the listener) via a transmitter that operates within the stadium bowl. The football club, stadium or venue should be prepared to provide this service. CAFE will be pleased to assist you with implementing audio-description at your stadium or venue. For more information about this service, please contact CAFE at: info@cafefootball.eu 13

14 What we do continued... Working with volunteers CAFE has assembled a team of volunteers helping with specific projects and translations. This is an important aspect of our works with volunteers acting as a crucial part of the CAFE team. We are currently seeking volunteer translators who are able to translate from English into a number of different languages including Dutch, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Ukrainian, Croatian and Romanian. The translations are required on an ad-hoc basis and all these opportunities are currently home based with volunteers required to have a computer with internet access. If you would like to volunteer as a translator or for upcoming projects, please do contact us at: info@cafefootball.eu Developing a network of disabled fans groups An important aspect of CAFE s work is its direct support for disabled fans in helping them to set up their own user-led local disabled supporter groups or associations. This ensures that disabled people feel empowered to establish a relationship and to work directly with their own football clubs and governing bodies to continue CAFE s works at a local and national level. By so doing, they in turn become self-advocates for promoting disability awareness and inclusion and in helping to improve access to football. To this end, CAFE advises disabled supporters in setting up representative local and national pan-disability consultative groups and provides on-going information and good practice examples on accessible football stadia. This work is crucial to ensuring CAFE s long-term sustainability and our on-going support and mentoring to disabled supporter groups often provides disabled people with new life skills and expertise that are transferable to employment opportunities and other aspects of independent living. CAFE has appointed regional coordinators across Europe who are helping local groups to establish a European-wide disabled fans network. This network is growing rapidly with many more disabled supporters groups now working with their clubs to improve the situation for local disabled fans. If you would like help in setting up a group in your area, please contact CAFE at: info@cafefootball.eu 14

15 What we do continued... Join the Club As part of the first ever CAFE Conference, the organisation launched the CLUB CAFE a userdriven network of stakeholders brought together by their shared belief in Total Football, Total Access that enables supporters and partners, individuals and groups who share our values, to demonstrate their support and commitment to CAFE s aims and works to provide equal access and inclusion within the game. The CLUB CAFE has attracted a wide range of advocates from across the game and each has been pleased to pledge their allegiance to Total Football Total Access. Supporters, both disabled and non-disabled, club officials, governing body representatives and any other interested parties are invited to join the network. In doing so, they are asked to reaffirm their commitment towards a more inclusive game and matchday experience going forwards, as well as their opposition to discrimination of any form. Those who have joined the network have been presented with their own CLUB CAFE card, to carry and signify their support. The network is open to all. If you would like to join CLUB CAFE please contact us at: info@cafefootball.eu and for information at: Spreading the word CAFE continues to spread the word about the many benefits of establishing accessible stadiums and more inclusive matchdays for disabled fans across Europe. CAFE has been invited to speak at various national and international conferences in the last year including summits and conferences that address stadium development and management, the fans experience and the equality and disability agenda. CAFE has also been represented and given expert advice at the Council of Europe and the European Parliament and given interviews for national television and radio shows in Poland, Ukraine, Romania and the UK. Seeking further sponsorship CAFE is funded by UEFA with further in-kind support provided by several other benefactors - the CAFE Society. The CAFE Society patrons generously provide professional services including expert legal, PR and accountancy advice as a charitable donation. The CAFE Society roll-of-honour can be found at the end of this report. However, the CAFE Board is now seeking further sponsorship, either financial or in-kind, to enable us to further extend our important works. If you are able to offer support to CAFE, we would be delighted to speak with you. Please do contact us at info@cafefootball.eu 15

16 In summary The future is looking bright for CAFE and our stakeholders with several exciting new projects in the pipeline and it can be easily concluded that the partnership between UEFA and CAFE has been extremely fruitful so far. Significant progress has been made on all fronts, but there is still a great deal to be done before we can comfortably claim Total Football Total Access. CAFE has a very clear mandate to ensure that many more disabled people across Europe can enjoy live sports as an inclusive and equal experience alongside their peers. We have set out an ambitious plan for the next 5 years to ensure that we continue to make good progress. With additional resources, we would be able to do so much more. Thank you for reading this report and for your support for the Centre for Access to Football in Europe and our important works. Board of Trustees David Bernstein Chairman of Board of Directors and Trustees Joyce Cook, OBE Managing Director, Secretary and Trustee Lord Rosser Director and Trustee Lord Faulkner of Worcester Director and Trustee Chris Bird Director and Trustee Darren Berman Director and Trustee 16

17 CAFE Society Very special thanks to our generous benefactors who make up the CAFE Society and provide their expert professional services as an in-kind donation to the charity. We couldn t manage without them. The CAFE Society is comprised of: Bevan Kidwell for providing expert legal services Farringdon Road, London, EC1R 3BX, UK Bird Consultancy Limited for providing expert PR and media services New Church House, 34 John Dalton Street, Manchester M2 6LE, UK Bright Grahame Murray for providing expert accounting services 131 Edgware Road, London W2 2AP, UK Andrew Shaw CAFE Society founder The Centre for Access to Football in Europe (CAFE), funded by UEFA, has been established as a European wide charity with a purpose to achieve equal access to football. Using the special influence of football, CAFE aims to improve the lives of disabled people by promoting inclusivity and equality; enabling more disabled people to enjoy a football match as a problem-free experience; and because football embraces diversity in all its forms, in raising disability awareness and the importance of providing good access across the UEFA region. Registered Charity No Company No Registered Office: 131 Edgware Road, London W2 2AP, United Kingdom Postal Address: CAFE, Regus House, Herons Way, Chester Business Park, Chester, Cheshire, CH4 9QR, United Kingdom. T: +44 (0) E: info@cafefootball.eu W: Skype: cafe-football 17

18 CAFE Financial Reports CENTRE FOR ACCESS TO FOOTBALL IN EUROPE (CAFE) DETAILED INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2012 Incoming Resources Award from UEFA 151,722 Donations from UEFA 267,582 Donations from The Council of Europe 12,853 Bank interest receivable 379 Total Incoming Resources 432,536 Resources Expended Direct project costs 186,317 Conference costs 50,753 Wages & salaries 76,368 Employers NIC 4,980 Premises costs 15,651 Insurance 2,295 Travel & subsistence 10,769 Accountancy fees 900 Printing, postage & stationery 2,536 Foreign exchange loss 31,368 Advertising 1,084 Computer expenses 1,402 General expenses 2,085 Bank charges ,354 Net incoming Resources for the year 45,182 Please note that a copy of CAFE s financial statements to 30th June 2012 are available on request. 18

19 Notes 19

20 Total Football - Total Access ALTERNATIVE ACCESSIBLE FORMATS OF THIS DOCUMENT ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST (such as large print and audio copies) CAFE Centre for Access to Football in Europe Tel: +44 (0) info@cafefootball.eu Skype: cafe-football CAFE: Regus House, Chester Business Park, Chester CH4 9QR UK Registered Office: 131 Edgware Road, London W2 2AP UK Company no Registered Charity no