As we celebrate the start of a brand-new year, we reflect on the significant progress Northampton Saints Foundation made in 2023, to reach our ambition of giving everyone the chance of a positive future.
One of the highlights of our year was the recognition of winning the NNBN Charity of the Year award, which was a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team. Four individuals were nominated for the annual HITZ awards, with two coming away victorious, including a member of our staff, Shirley, being named HITZ Champion for the unwavering support she provides learners.
Additionally, the Foundation received nominations for both Project of the Year and Apprentice of the Year at the Northamptonshire Business Excellence Awards and our Engage programme was awarded Excellence in Education at the Community Foundation Awards.
In our commitment to expanding our impact in the county, a new social inclusion hub was opened in Corby, dedicated to supporting young people who have disengaged from education. Meanwhile, two Engage hubs in Milton Keynes relocated to Glebe Farm School, providing a bigger space from which to operate.
Recognising the needs of our community, we launched a Memory Cafe, funded with a grant from Northampton Queen’s Institute Fund, administered by Northamptonshire Community Foundation. The monthly sessions, which have continued to grow in numbers, provide support for older members who have memory and mobility issues, and those who feel isolated or lonely.
Our heritage department was given a boost with a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, to explore and document Northampton Saints RFC during the 1950s and 1960s era, further ensuring the rich heritage of the club is not forgotten.
We received amazing support from both companies and individuals who fundraised on our behalf, whilst our Foundation team walked the virtual London marathon, raising further funds for our cause.
We ended the year with Northampton Saints Prop Ethan Waller bringing the squad together for their own unique pantomime version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, attended by almost 400 Saints fans, raising over £8,400 for the Foundation.
In 2024 and, for us, already four months into the 2023/2024 academic year, we gear up for our fourth Foundation Day, where we invite business sponsorship to headline our biggest fundraising event of the year.
We remain focussed on expanding our reach and services, in schools where we continue to make a positive impact on the lives of young people, aiming to reduce the risk of exclusion, or disengagement from education, and through our bespoke interventions aiming to reintegrate and re-engage young people with a learning environment or with the skills and qualifications they need to create a positive pathway to their future.
With over 6,000 people each year benefiting from our services, we know 2024 will be a year to remember.
Catherine Deans,
Managing Director
Northampton Saints Foundation
If you are looking for a charity to support in 2024 to help create a lasting legacy of positive change and help meet your social value commitments, get in touch at admin@northamptonsaintsfoundation.org Find out more at www.northamptonsaintsfoundation.org
