Foundation of Light has been celebrating National Volunteers’ Week by saying thank you to the people who give up their time to support the work of Sunderland AFC’s official charity.
Throughout the week, we have been sharing the stories of just a few of the 100+ people who deliver more than 10,000 hours of community support.
Every Foundation of Light volunteer will receive a thank you gift organised by Volunteer Coordinator, Aly Dixon, as part of the Volunteers’ Week celebrations.
In our latest piece we catch up with Claire Bovill and Julie McCann about their volunteering experiences.
Claire Bovill
Claire started her volunteering journey in September 2024 after meeting with the Foundation of Light’s Skills Team – who deliver alternative education, community education, and employability programmes.
With a passion for education and a belief that every young person should be given a chance, an opportunity to help out with the Skills Team was perfect for Claire and she started to work with the learners in November 2024, supporting them in a variety of learning experiences.
Some of her work included discussing their next steps beyond their courses, using her own real life experiences to share with them what they can expect when looking for work and when they take on employment.
On her volunteering, Claire said: “Every young person should have as much support as possible to succeed.
“The Foundation of Light offer opportunities and a nurturing environment, they make every effort to cater for the needs of the individuals. My volunteering gives me the ability to offer one-to-one support to aid the young people to success.
“That success may be attending the Beacon and seeing that learning can take place away from the traditional school environment, or developing skills through sport or other practical activities."
Julie McCann
Julie is a friendly and familiar face for those who attend the Wear Together over-55s group in Boldon.
As the Foundation of Light looked to expand its social and activity group for over-55s to new venues, which included Boldon Community Association in South Tyneside, they needed more people to support the delivery of those sessions.
Julie started helping out with the session in May 2024, and since then has increased her involvement with the Foundation of Light, offering her support to other events.
“I help out at the Boldon Wear Together session, setting up and derigging equipment, taking registers, befriending participants, supporting them to take part in physical activities,” Julie said.
She continued: “I have also helped out at the Play on the Pitch and Foundation of Light Matchday events. For me, it is a very rewarding experience feeling that you are belonging to something worthwhile and meaningful.”
The ’We Are Role Models’ campaign shines a light on the Foundation’s ongoing work across Sunderland, South Tyneside and County Durham, supporting boys and young men through sport, education and mentoring.
Azeem Iftikah came to the Foundation of Light to help settle in the UK after arriving as a refugee, but he is now an integral part of the Wear Together sessions at The Venue in Stanley.
The former chairman of Sunderland AFC stopped by a volunteer meeting to say thank you to those who give their time to support the work of the club’s official charity.