Students help enhance SEND provision

Colleagues from City, Lincoln City Foundation, Lincolnshire County Council, and Serco have come together to create a pioneering social enterprise project for students with special educational needs and disabilities from Lincoln Saints Federation and InspireU.

The aim of the project was to bring a small group of learners from each setting to assess and bring new ideas to the Foundation and football club to improve the matchday experience for supporters with neurodiverse and physical conditions.

Students were invited to attend fixtures to assess current facilities and provisions from a fan perspective. They later presented their insights and recommendations to staff at both the Foundation and the football club. Several of their ideas have already been implemented, with more planned ahead of the new season.

This collaborative approach provided the students with an opportunity to influence real-world change in their community and helped them develop valuable transferable skills to support their future employment and personal development. Seeing their contributions come to life has been a fantastic experience for all involved.

Nick Wray, head of post 16 across the Lincoln Saints Federation, said: “This has been a brilliant experience for our learners. It’s incredibly rewarding for them to see the tangible impact of their ideas. The project has helped them grow in confidence and develop skills that will support them far beyond the classroom. We’re excited to continue working together to make the LNER Stadium even more accessible and inclusive.”

Tony Smith, chair of City's Fan Advisory Board, added: “It has been incredible to be part of this initiative and to hear directly from the students about how we can create a more inclusive environment — not just on matchdays, but for every visit to the LNER Stadium. We’re committed to building on this work and strengthening our partnership further.”

This project marks a significant step forward in inclusive design and collaborative learning, and all the partners involved are looking ahead to developing this initiative further.