Taking centre-stage at Wakefield Trinity tonight.

Wakefield Trinity and their charitable Foundation have teamed up with Community Integrated Care to create a host of initiatives that will improve the health, happiness and social inclusion of people with learning disabilities and autism. To launch this important programme, people supported by the charity will help welcome both teams onto the field and take part in a lap of honour at Mobile Rocket Stadium this evening.

The partnership sees Wakefield Trinity Foundation deliver regular activity and social sessions, and the creation of a special supporters’ club for people who have learning disabilities and autism. It also offers people supported by the charity the chance to volunteer with the club and enjoy exclusive matchday experiences.

Community Integrated Care is one of Britain’s biggest and most successful social care providers, supporting more than 3500 people who have learning disabilities, autism, mental health concerns and dementia. The charity is a major care provider in Wakefield and the surrounding communities.

The partnership follows a ground-breaking collaboration between Community Integrated Care, the Betfred Super League and Rugby Football League, which has seen the charity become the Official Social Care partner of the sport. At the heart of this partnership is the creation of the pioneering ‘Community Integrated Care Learning Disability Super League’, a world-first accessible rugby league programme, which is backed by 12 major clubs – including Wakefield Trinity. Trinity made history in 2018 when they featured in the first ever Learning Disability Rugby League game.

Marc Brodie, Managing Director of Community Integrated Care, says: “The people we support have experienced lots of barriers and challenges in their lives, so to have the opportunity to take to the field with their heroes and be cheered on by supporters will be an incredible moment for them all.

We have commissioned Wakefield Trinity because of their fantastic reputation in the local community and sport for promoting social inclusion. We know that this partnership will change lives and offer many special experiences for the people we support, not least with the chance to represent Trinity in the Community Integrated Care Learning Disability Super League.

On behalf of our charity, we would like to thank everyone associated with Wakefield Trinity and both sets of supporters, for so generously welcoming the people we support to this big game.”

Wakefield Trinity Community Trust General Manager, Craig Shepherd, said: “We are delighted to be officially launching our partnership with Community Integrated Care at tonight’s game. We care about our community and it’s important that we provide opportunities for as many people as we possibly can to play sport and be physically active.

The partnership with Community Integrated Care raises aspirations and brings enjoyment to so many individuals, not just those participating. We are excited about where we can take this relationship in the future and I know that passion is equally shared.”

Wakefield Trinity winger, Tom Johnstone, has signed up as an Ambassador for the partnership. He said: “It has been fantastic to meet the team from Community Integrated Care and to see how excited everyone is about this partnership. It is incredible to see how Wakefield Trinity and rugby league can help change people’s lives, and I am sure that this will be a real success.

I was delighted to be asked to represent the club as its Ambassador for the Community Integrated Care Learning Disability Super League. Wakefield Trinity have led the way in supporting Learning Disability Rugby League and I am excited to see how our team will continue to progress in the future.”