The Purple Hands Foundation and the Angus Knight Group have signed a three-year inaugural major partnership agreement. The deal will see uLaunch, Angus Knight’s disability employment services organisation, sponsor and co-design new community projects with Purple Hands. These projects will help empower people living with disability, First Nations peoples, young and otherwise socially and economically disadvantaged groups live life to their full potential.

“Angus Knight and uLaunch are thrilled to be the inaugural major partner of the Purple Hands Foundation,” Angus Knight Group CEO and MD, Nic Fairbank said.

“We whole-heartedly endorse the work Purple Hands Foundation is doing in the community, delivering programs that tackle key social issues impacting our youth. As our partnership evolves, together we hope to be able to deliver even better outcomes for more local communities across Western Australia and beyond,” said Mr Fairbank.

The partnership kicks off with uLaunch supporting the new Sensory Room to be opened at Fremantle Dockers’ Optus Stadium home games, which provides people living with disability access to a quiet space during Fremantle Dockers games at Optus Stadium. The partnership will also expand the footprint of the Goals aHead program that educates secondary school students on ways to build resilience and promotes positive health and mental well-being. 

“The Purple Hands Foundation and uLaunch have like-minded objectives and values. Our two organisations are working together to invest in peoples’ futures; building resilience, capability and hope through the connection of sport and community.” Purple Hands Foundation’s Director Dale Alcock said.  

The Purple Hands Foundation helps to build healthy, united and sustainable Western Australian communities. They do this through sport and by leveraging the power of partnerships.

uLaunch partners with people living with disability, illness and injury to build pathways to fulfilling and sustainable employment. The support from uLaunch will enable the Purple Hands Foundation to continue to deliver programs that tackle key social issues and have a genuine impact on people's lives.

uLaunch CEO Karena Newland said uLaunch and the Purple Hands Foundation formed a natural partnership.

“uLaunch’s approach comes from representation, partnership and co-design. Around 40% of our staff, from front line to the Board, are people living with disability, injury or chronic illness. We partner with local communities, employers and people with disability, to develop fit-for-purpose solutions. We are privileged to support and work with Purple Hands to co-design empowering experiences for our clients and all people with lived experience of disability,” said Ms Newland.