Cambridge United Foundation Partners with Abler to Amplify Community Impact
Supporting 11,000+ Participants Across Cambridgeshire
Cambridge United Foundation is implementing Abler to strengthen their delivery of vital community programmes across Cambridgeshire. In 2024 alone, the Foundation engaged over 11,000 participants and generated £1.3 million in social value through their extensive range of health, education, and inclusion programmes.
The Foundation tackles critical local challenges; from youth deprivation to social isolation among older adults. Their work spans three key areas: supporting young people through mental health programmes and education, promoting healthy lifestyles for adults, and combating loneliness among seniors.
How Abler Powers Their Mission
Cambridge United Foundation will use Abler to:
- Coordinate 30+ different programmes – From Premier League Primary Stars (mentoring) in schools to Memory Cafes for people with dementia, all managed in one unified system
- Connect participant pathways – Track how someone might start in youth programmes like Mind Your Head, progress through Premier League Kicks, and later become a volunteer mentor
- Measure £1.3m+ in social value – Generate clear reports showing exactly how their work benefits Cambridgeshire communities, essential for securing continued funding
- Reduce administrative burden – Automate attendance tracking across multiple venues, instantly generate safeguarding reports, and simplify programme registrations
Real Impact, Real Stories
The Foundation's programmes address pressing community needs. Their Mind Your Head programme provides early mental health intervention for young people. Walking Football and Wellbeing Walks keep adults active. Memory Cafes and Afternoon Teas combat isolation among older residents. With over 67% of UK adults overweight and nearly half reporting feelings of loneliness, these programmes are more vital than ever.
Vicky Neal, Head of Foundation, shares her reasons for partnering with Abler:
“Providing accessible and impactful opportunities to meet the growing needs of individuals in the city is the foundation’s priority. We target individuals who may have barriers to being physically active and connecting with others, so ensuring that the process of seeing and booking sessions for our users is paramount. Abler provides a bespoke service to us, to ensure our needs as an organisation are met. Being easy to use from both a user and staff perspective has not only improved the booking system as a whole, it has enabled us to capture more participant data to report on the overall impact the charity is making in the city”.
Building Stronger Communities Together
As Cambridge United Foundation continues expanding their reach, from AstraZeneca Active Science lessons inspiring future scientists through sport, to Pledge United tackling violence against women and girls, Abler provides the infrastructure to ensure no one falls through the gaps.
About Cambridge United Foundation
The charitable arm of Cambridge United FC, delivering programmes that support health, education, and inclusion across Cambridgeshire.
About Abler
Programme management software designed for community organisations making a real difference.
