Celebrations and silverware: Jam-Packed June at Foundation of Light

As people across Sunderland and the country geared up for Euro 2024, there was plenty to shout about on and off the pitch at the Foundation of Light in June.

National Silverware

It was national success for Sunderland Foundation of Light Men’s Futsal on Sunday 2 June as they got their hands on the National Plate for Tier 3.

Live in front of the TNT Sports cameras, the Wearside team beat Portsmouth and Southsea in the final in Derby after coming through a strong South London side in the semi-final.

For the full story, including quotes from player-coach Michael Haley: Click Here

Fixtures Breakfast

Sunderland AFC’s 2024/25 Championship fixtures were revealed during the Foundation of Light’s Fixtures Breakfast – an annual event that allows the club’s official charity and its partners to network through SAFC – at the Beacon of Light.

Around 200 guests attended to hear from a panel which included Sunderland AFC Chief Business Officer David Bruce, Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman, and Foundation of Light Managing Director Jamie Wright.

Full Story: Click Here

Six years of YOLO

Our early intervention programme engaging with young people who are at risk of being involved in serious violence has reached six years.

YOLO supports 10–16-year-olds who are or have been in possession of carrying a knife or weapon, or there is evidence they may be involved in serious violence in the future.

In the build-up to the programme’s sixth birthday, Thomas Fisher and Liam Oliver from our YOLO team visited the knife angel sculpture – a structure formed of 100,000 knives aiming to send a powerful message and open dialogue on the effects of knife crime – while it was located in Sunderland’s Keel Square.

We also shared one of our recent YOLO success stories about how Kody, 14, re-engaged with his education and future through the programme. To read his story: Click Here

National Volunteers’ Week

Volunteers play an important role at the Foundation of Light, from football coaching to mental health support.

To celebrate our volunteers during National Volunteers’ Week during the first week of June, we held a special celebration event at our Wear Together session in Boldon.

We also shared some of our volunteers’ stories, to shout out their selfless work and inspire others.

Volunteers’ Week round-up: Click Here

Summer Programme Launched

At the start of June, we launched our programme of activities for Summer 2024 during this year’s school holidays.

The programme boasts new and exciting activities, with something on offer to people of all ages and abilities across a wide range of interests from football to baking and multi-sports to engineering.

To learn more: Click Here

For bookings: Click Here

Pride Month Activities

Foundation of Light supported Pride Month with themes embedded into session delivery and through assisting at Sunderland Pride Events.

We engaged with the community and delivered activities as an official partner of the Pride in Sunderland Family Picnic.