Former Sunderland AFC captain Lee Cattermole takes part in Foundation of Light's Changing Room Chat
Former Sunderland AFC captain Lee Cattermole was the latest person to sit down with Foundation of Light football scholars for a Changing Room Chat.
From Westminster to Wearside: Foundation of Light’s January 2026 Round-Up
January set the tone for 2026 at the Foundation of Light, with the launch of our new five-year strategy alongside continued impact across our communities.
'Brighter Tomorrow' - Our new strategy launch
January brought the launch of our brand-new five-year strategy 'Brighter Tomorrow' with several events to celebrate the ambitious new plan.
With Foundation of Light set to turn 25-years-old later in the year, we celebrated the start of the anniversary year with a landmark event at the Houses of Parliament at the start of the month.
Hosted in the Churchill Room, we welcomed MPs, community leaders, and Foundation partners and long-standing supporters, who were give a sneak preview of the 'Brighter Tomorrow' strategy.
The strategy was then brought back to Wearside for an official launch event at the Beacon of Light.
The 'Brighter Tomorrow' Business Breakfast welcomed talks from Sunderland AFC legend Kevin Ball, Chief Business Officer David Bruce, before Foundation of Light CEO Lesley Spuhler talked guests through the five-year strategy.
A few days later, the strategy was officially unveiled to the public, and is now available to view online: Click Here
Or for the full lowdown on the launch: Click Here
Lee Cattermole chats to Foundation of Light scholars
The first Changing Room Chat of the new year was released, with former Sunderland AFC captain Lee Cattermole sitting down with Foundation of Light football scholars to offer advice and share stories from his career.
Asked about a piece of advice he’d give to young players trying to make the next step, Cattermole said: “Self-belief is absolutely huge. Everyone’s journey comes at different stages, and you see loads who at 16 or 17 were the best, but they didn’t really progress.
"To get self-belief I think you need to be really good at what you do daily, how you approach training, strength and conditioning, warm-ups. You have to be really consistent, focused, and have that discipline.”
You can now listen to the full Changing Room Chat: Click Here
Foundation encourages supporters to Kick the Habit
Throughout January, Foundation of Light has been encouraging supporters to Kick the Habit through our partnership with Sunderland Specialist Stop Smoking Service.
Sunderland Specialist Stop Smoking Service can offer free support to quit, including the 'Swap to Stop' initiative which offers a free vape alongside one-to-one support to help people ditch tobacco, the first step towards quitting for good.
More on Kick the Habit: Click Here
Hit your resolutions with the Foundation
January is the time of resolutions as people set new ambitions to improve their health and wellbeing, and alongside encouraging people to stop smoking, Foundation of Light took the opportunity to highlight the ways in which we can help people hit their resolutions.
To find out more about our health-focused programmes, read the full story: Click Here
Serving up success: Kate's Youth Employment Hub journey
Kate-Ann Marie Johnson is one of the 16-24-year-olds to have found work with the help of the Youth Employment Hub, which is jointly delivered by Sunderland AFC’s official charity and the DWP.
After struggling with job applications, despite good prior experience and a strong CV, Kate worked with our employability coaches before earning a job at the Beacon of Light's Yard Nine Café.
February Holiday Courses launched with incredible prize draw
Foundation of Light launched online bookings for our February half-term courses with an added bonus.
Everybody who books a Foundation of Light holiday course for February half-term will be entered into a prize draw to win a mascot place for Sunderland AFC’s game against Brighton on Saturday 14 March.
Foundation of Light holiday courses give children the chance to stay active and social in a safe environment during school holidays.
Sessions are delivered by qualified staff and cover a range of interests, whether your child is keen to develop their football skills or try out creative activities like baking or arts.
Or for more info: Click Here
Elsewhere in January
Foundation of Light coach Phil Hubbard completed his 50km ultramarathon in the next step of his fundraising challenge for our men's mental health programme, Game of II Halves. Phil has been taking on a series of challenges, including runs and charity football games. To find out more: Click Here
We highlighted the Trailblazer project, a collaboration between Foundation of Light and Newcastle United Foundation, putting footballing rivalry aside to help young people develop off the pitch. So far, the employability project has helped seven young people into employment, with a new cohort set to start their journey soon. Watch the video: Click Here
On Blue Monday, we highlighted the importance of focusing on Mental Wellbeing every day. Game of II Halves delivery officer, Steve Brindley, travelled to Hays Travel HQ to deliver Suicide Prevention training to their staff. This is an initiative that Steve is looking to roll out to workforces across the region. To find out more about the programme: Click Here
Win Sunderland AFC Mascot Experience with Foundation of Light Holiday Courses
Foundation of Light is giving one lucky holiday course attendee the chance to walk out as a mascot at the Stadium of Light.
Serving up Success: Kate’s employment journey with Youth Employment Hub
Kate-Ann Marie Johnson is one of the 16-24-year-olds to have found work with the help of the Youth Employment Hub, which is jointly delivered by Sunderland AFC’s official charity and the DWP.