My Story

We are running the Great North Run this year for Foundation Futures, this is Jamie’s fifth time running for the charity and I thought it was about time I put on my running shoes and joined him! This is a personal challenge for me as not only have I not done any running for over 10 years but I am also running in memory of one of my past students Mark Patton who tragically took his own life in 2021. I worked closely with Mark during his time on Foundation Futures alternative education programme and got to know Mark who was such a kind, funny and caring boy. Mark like far too many people felt he had no other way out and if raising this money can help even one person realise they have people to turn to, that they are not alone and that it's ok to not be ok then it will be worth it! 

All money raised will go directly to supporting young people with their mental health and wellbeing.

Foundation Futures have seen a huge increase in both young people and adults struggling with poor mental health and the affects it has on both them and their families. Foundation Futures have been raising money to support projects around mental health and wellbeing to help battle the stigmas around speaking out and asking for help, as well as providing safe spaces and safe faces to support the communities in which they work (Byker & Walker) reminding evryone who walks through their doors that its is ok to not be ok.

Foundation Futures means a lot to us both personally as we see first hand how vital the support they provide is to the local community and we want to support the continuation of their amazing work.

Foundation Futures is a small Charity working with young people and adults in the East end of Newcastle, supporting them by providing alternative education programmes as well as youth and community groups. Their mission is to promote positive change by providing safe spaces and safe faces to transform lives (they literally do!) 

They work within the Byker Wall and Pottery Bank communities, two areas of Newcastle which have high levels of deprivation and poverty.

Foundation Futures will use any money raised to provide trips and activities for young people to support their mental health and wellbeing by taking them out of the area to participate in new and exciting experiences. Many of the young people Foundation Futures work with have never been out of the area and your donation could help to give them these experiences.

All of Foundation Futures mental health projects are in memory of their past student Mark Patton who sadly lost his battle with his mental health in 2021.

To find out more about Mark's Story or to support Foundation Futures 'It's ok to not be ok" campaign follow the Etsy link below:

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/FoundationFutures?ref=usf_2020

Thank you for your support it means the world to us!

Jennie & Jamie