Newcastle United Foundation’s Annual Review is our chance to share the exceptional stories of the people we helped in 2020/21.
We are proud to have supported over 26,000 children, young adults, families, and older generations, bringing them together through their passion for football. Newcastle United has the power to bring a city and a region together and Newcastle United Foundation is integral in making that happen.
Through community, education, health and wellbeing, and sports programmes, we strive to improve physical and mental health, boost learning and career prospects and provide life-changing opportunities for everyone – no matter what their goals in life.
This year, we are proud to showcase a united community, full of pride, passion and potential. Through working with the Foundation, these young people, community heroes, and outstanding individuals truly represent the diversity and tenacity at the heart of our region.
With our work more essential than ever before, we have continued to provide the encouragement, support and guidance needed for all people to achieve. During a time when everything changed, we have remained United As One.
Thank you to our two biggest supporters, Newcastle United Football Club and the Premier League and all our generous partners and funders for their ongoing support. We are also hugely grateful to Parkdean Resorts for sponsoring this year’s Annual Review for the seventh year running.
Steve Beharall, Head of Newcastle United Foundation
OUR SPONSPOR
PARKDEAN RESORTS
We are incredibly proud to continue our partnership with Newcastle United Foundation, a charity which continues to have a positive influence on tens of thousands of people across our region.
We own and operate 67 award-winning holiday parks spanning 3,500 acres of land at the heart of unrivalled rural and coastal communities who rely on the business for employment, continued investment, and a commitment to cherish the uniqueness of each community. With an unrepeatable national footprint, we are proud to have a particularly strong presence in the North East, with five holiday parks and a Central Support office located here.
The challenges presented by 2020/21 saw our community links becoming ever more important to us. Working with the Marine Conservation Society, park teams participated in 22 beach cleans across the country, with 330 volunteers collecting almost 6,000 items of litter.
We have also partnered with the DWP on their new Kickstart Scheme, giving young people a unique opportunity to launch a new career within the hospitality industry at our parks.
We are delighted to continue our long-standing support of the Newcastle United Foundation, which inspires countless communities across our region.
Our spirit, our passion and our pride are renowned across the world. Growing up in this city, I know what can be achieved by persevering together with a common goal in mind. At Newcastle United Foundation, we stand together with our community to enrich and change lives for the better, forever.
Shola Ameobi
2020/21 HIGHLIGHTS
Newcastle United Foundation named North East Charity of the Year 2021
- North East Charity of the Year 2021
- International Sports Award 2021 – Professional Club Community Award
- Royal Society for Public Health Awards 2021 – Public Mental Health and Wellbeing Award, Be A Game Changer
- Football Business Awards 2021 – Best Football Community Scheme, Bronze Award
- North East Marketing Awards 2021 – Not-for-Profit Campaign of the Year 2021, Shortlisted
“Our North East Charity of the Year Award is the perfect testament to our incredible team who work tirelessly to enrich the lives of thousands of children, young adults, families, and older generations across the North East.” – Steve Beharall, Head of Newcastle United Foundation
HEALTH AND WELLBEING
JOSH BANYARD, BE A GAME CHANGER
“It’s the Newcastle United badge that brings people in, but it’s Newcastle United Foundation that makes them feel at home – it’s a lifesaver”
I was alone on a railway bridge, preparing to take my own life. A decline in my mental health took everything from me – pretending I was okay became too much and led me to that lonely railway bridge. My phone rang while I was there, it was my little boy calling, asking when daddy would be home. It was my turning point.
Finally opening up to my family about how I felt, I started my journey to getting better with Be A Game Changer – Newcastle United Foundation’s campaign encouraging football supporters to talk about mental health. With support from the charity’s Health ad Wellbeing team, I’ve been able to share my own story to help others through the campaign that truly saved me from a dark place.
Funded by: Newcastle City Council, North East and North Cumbria Suicide Prevention Network, Premier League Charitable Fund, The National Lottery Community Fund
Be A Game Changer is the Foundation’s award-winning mental health awareness campaign seen by more than 1.1 million people online in 2020/21. Encouraging open conversations about mental wellness, the campaign exists to support Newcastle United’s community with 89 per cent of participants feeling less isolated since joining the health and wellbeing programme. The team have handed more than 10,000 mental health guidance cards to supporters at St. James’ Park, helping to reduce social stigmas and improve the mental health of the city’s residents.
NU FUTURES
FAIEQUL ALOM, STREET FOOTBALL
“Newcastle United Foundation has made me into the person I am today”
I was incredibly isolated during the coronavirus pandemic. I was unemployed and struggling to leave my own home. My anxiety meant I lost touch with friends and family and even my enthusiasm for football – the only thing I loved – slipped away too.
I was referred to Newcastle United Foundation’s NU Futures team, who helped me make up for lost time. I joined their free Street Football sessions in Newcastle’s West End where I combined playing with working on my personal development, CV writing and interpersonal skills. Regaining my self-confidence, I’ve found work on top of volunteering at a grassroots club, getting closer to my dream career coaching football.
Funded by: Newcastle Building Society, Newcastle College Group, North of Tyne Combined Authority, People’s Postcode Lottery, Stagecoach, Youth Futures Foundation
NU FUTURES provides life-changing opportunities through education and employment support for schoolchildren, teenagers and young adults. Through one-to-one mentorship, interpersonal skill-building, inspirational apprenticeships, and work placements, 92 per cent of the next generation have improved self-confidence and 98 per cent improved their teamworking skills. In 2020/21, NU Futures participants earned 65 qualifications and facilitated 37 job starts in career paths based right here, in the North East.
DISABILITY
THOMAS ATKINSON,
AMPUTEE FOOTBALL
“They’re helping me achieve what I really want to do and play for England”
I’ve spent my life overcoming every challenge in my way. I was born without my left hand and had my left leg removed as a baby and while growing up with a leg prosthetic – and ditching a heavy arm prosthetic which only held me back – I’ve always pursued my passion for football. From becoming captain for my school team and playing up-front for able-bodied junior teams, I knew my future lay in football and I joined Newcastle United Foundation’s Amputee Team.
Travelling from Cumbria for training every week, I’ve become the squad’s first choice goalkeeper and at age 17, I’ve already been called up to England’s national amputee team. The Foundation is helping me make history as the youngest goalkeeper to join England’s senior amputee side and I couldn’t be happier.
Funded by: BBC Children in Need, North Group, North Tyneside Council, Northumberland FA, Premier League Charitable Fund, Provincial Grand Lodge of Northumberland, St. James’ Place Charitable Foundation
FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT programmes ensure all children and adults can play sport, socialise, and enjoy professional coaching – inclusive of all abilities. Free, weekly training sessions for amputee, blind, cerebral palsy, Down’s syndrome, frame, partially sighted and power chair football teams provide a safe and inclusive environment to make sport accessible for 720 people attending throughout 2020/21. More than 660 women and girls are also provided with advanced coaching, after school clubs, football festivals and matchday experiences with Newcastle United Women to inspire the next generation of footballers.
COMMUNITY
KACY METCALFE,
PREMIER LEAGUE KICKS
“I’m inspired to go somewhere with my life”
As a shy teenager, I was falling in with the wrong crowds and was unknowingly becoming involved in crime. It was a difficult cycle for me to break and I had few hopes or dreams for my future. Without money to pay for activities near me, Newcastle United Foundation’s Premier League Kicks sessions gave me a free opportunity to change my life for the better.
It took a few sessions to find my feet, but with encouragement from the Foundation’s Community team, I found a new circle of friends, helping me feel more confident each week. Three years on, I’m more positive and believe in myself. I’m part of the Foundation’s Girls Kicks squad and a grassroots club and my family couldn’t be prouder of me.
Funded by: Premier League Charitable Fund, People’s Postcode Lottery, Bernicia, Michael Carrick Foundation, Newcastle City Council, North Tyneside Council, Northumberland Children’s Trust, The John Horseman Trust
NEWCASTLE UNITED Foundation provide 8,085 hours of supervised, free football throughout the year through Premier League Kicks for children and teenagers living in city centres, towns and rural areas across the North East. An opportunity to meet new people with 93 per cent of participants boosting their physical and mental wellbeing, Kicks engages young people in constructive activities and reduces anti-social behaviour by up to 80 per cent in target neighbourhoods.
ABOUT US
Mission
Newcastle United Foundation uses the power of football to motivate and inspire people to be more active, learn new skills, be more employable and to reach their potential. We coach, mentor, educate and provide opportunities to communities that truly need them across the North East.
Vision
A united community, full of passion, pride and potential.
Values
Football has an extraordinary power in our region. It connects, motivates, inspires and engages.
From children to adults, we work with generations in our community.
Through our sporting, education, personal development and health programmes,
we help people to be more active, to learn, to be more employable, to be healthier, to make
connections and to reach their potential.
We are proud of our history but even more excited for our future.
Patrons
Jonathan Edwards CBE
Gabby Logan MBE
Bob Moncur
Player Ambassadors
Sean Longstaff
Matty Longstaff
Trustees
John Marshall, Chair
Claire Alexander
Shola Ameobi
Steve Harper
Graeme Mason
Michelle Percy
Mick Thompson
Brian Thorpe
Senior Management Team
Steve Beharall, Head of Newcastle United Foundation
Sarah Medcalf, Deputy Head of Newcastle United Foundation
Helen Wilson, Senior Finance and Resources Manager
Andrew Foster, Programme Manager
Steve Mack, Operations Manager
Malcolm Munro, Facilities and Business Manager
Katie Tasker, HR Manager
Management Team
Liam Atkin, Primary Education Manager
Charlotte Bowe, Marketing and Communications
Manager
Andrew Dobby, Football Development Manager
Michael Henderson, Management Accountant
Anya Lawrence, Community Programmes Manager
Andrew Lisgo, Business Development Manager
Ashley Lowe, Health and Wellbeing Manager
A special thank you to Serena Taylor
and Richard Lee for their photography.
FUNDERS
Arnold Clark Community Fund
Baily Thomas Charitable Fund
Banks Community Fund
BBC Children in Need
Benfield School
Bernicia
Byker Community Trust
The Catherine Cookson Charitable Trust
The Clothworkers’ Foundation
Coach Core
Crispa Charitable Trust
David Harrison Centre for Social Mobility
European Football for Development Network
Football Foundation
FutureMe
Garfield Weston Foundation
George Stephenson High School
Goldman Sachs Gives
Grace College
Great North Children’s Hospital Foundation
Helen McArdle and Family
Henry Holmes Benevolent Fund
Heworth Grange School
Joseph Strong Frazer Trust
LNER – Customer and Community Investment Fund
Man v Fat
Masonic Charitable Foundation
Michael Carrick Foundation
Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government
National Lottery Community Fund
National Lottery Heritage Lottery Fund
Newcastle Bridges
Newcastle City Council
NewcastleCollege
Newcastle Helix
Newcastle Hospitals Charity
North East and North Cumbria Suicide Prevention Network
Newcastle University
North East LEP
North Gosforth Academy
North of Tyne Combined Authority
North Tyneside Council
Northstar Foundation
Northumberland Children’s Trust
Northumberland FA
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner
Northumbria University
People’s Postcode Lottery
Premier League Charitable Foundation
Princes Trust
Professional Footballers Association
Provincial Grand Lodge
of Northumberland
R W Mann Trust
Reece Foundation
RW Mann Foundation
Sir Bobby Robson Foundation
Sir Graham Wylie Foundation
Sir James Knott Trust
Social Investment Business
Squires Foundation
St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation
Stop Hunger Foundation
Substance
The FA
The FB and PFB Lough Fund
The High Sheriff of Northumberland
The High Sheriff of Tyne & Wear
The John Horseman Trust
Tony Blair Sports Foundation
TyneMet College
UEFA Foundation for Children
Whitley Bay Junior Football Club
Your Homes Newcastle
Youth Endowment Fund
Youth Futures Foundation
Partner Schools
Benfield School
Grace College
North Gosforth Academy
George Stephenson High School
Heworth Grange School
Corporate Funders
AMB Packaging
Barclays
Bidfood
Black and White Engineering
Brewin Dolphin
Cedar Packaging
Central Employment
Consultive Solutions
Cool Designs LTD
Digital Cat Consultancy
First Class Supply
International Risk Solutions Ltd
Liontrust
Muckle LLP
Newcastle International Airport
Newcastle Building Society
North Group
Oatein
Parkdean Resorts
Pure Panel Management
Robertson Construction
RSM UK
Ryder Architects
Sage
Sir Graham Wylie Foundation
Sodexo
St. James’s Place
Stagecoach
Suzanne Clark Life & Business Coach
Thompsons of Prudhoe
Todd Milburn
Wade Financial
Financial information
How we spend your money
TESTIMONIALS
Eddie Howe
Newcastle United Head Coach
“Everyone connected through Newcastle United Football Club is part of an extraordinary family and Newcastle United Foundation are at the heart of what makes the club a community.
“Very quickly we’ve learnt about the phenomenal work of the Foundation and how they are improving the lives of families, young people, and older generations across the region.”
Kim McGuinness
Northumbria Police & Crime Commissioner
“We are a proud partner of Newcastle United Foundation – their engagement strategy with the local community and in particularly the YOLO programme is incredibly effective and the impact that they have on the lives of people involved in their projects is hugely significant.”
Jamie Driscoll
North of Tyne Mayor
“The Newcastle United Foundation is our secret weapon for changing our kids’ lives. I grew up watching football. Standing on the terraces on cardboard in the depths of winter to stop my feet from freezing. It taught me the value of camaraderie and dedication.
“This new state of the art facility, NUCASTLE, will bring an important community centre back to life for a new generation. It combines our region’s love of football with learning skills, getting jobs, and improving life chances. This is exactly what North of Tyne investment is all about.”
Andrew Haigh
Newcastle Building Society Chief Executive
“We’re proud to be powering this amazing new facility in partnership with Newcastle United Foundation. Now more than ever, it’s vital that we invest in the future of our local communities and help people change their lives for the better.
“NUCASTLE will offer a lifetime of opportunity to people across the region and I’m sure will stand as an inspiring landmark in the city for generations to come.”
CONTACT
Newcastle United Foundation
NUCASTLE, Diana Street
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE4 6BQ
foundation@nufc.co.uk
nufoundation.org.uk
Registered Charity Number: 1124896
