BUSINESS AS UN-USUAL

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For so many now, the Foundation of Light are a vital lifeline, and matter now more than ever before.

As everyone is staying home and staying safe, the Foundation team have not let that stop the good work that they do, looking for alternative ways to help families and reach out to those who need support.

WEEKLY #FoLFightsBack CHALLENGE
Our staff are keeping you active while at home with a weekly fitness challenge. Find these on our YouTube channel – subscribe here

FREE ONLINE SKILLS COURSES
Brand new free online skills courses ‘Isolation to Education’ have been introduced to support members of the public who have recently been placed on furlough or made unemployed. The Foundation’s Post 16 education and employability programmes has also moved to online provision, utilising resources such as Google Classrooms, to ensure learners across the region continue their studies at this challenging time.

SUNDERLAND FOODBANK SUPPORT
Each week, staff have been supporting the Sunderland Foodbank, boxing up care packages, answering phones and delivering food packages to vulnerable children in schools in Durham. Full details here.

EXTRA TIME HUB
Elderly members of our community continue to be supported as staff maintain contact through daily and weekly telephone calls and hundreds of WhatsApp messages, as well as delivering care packages to those who need and recording easy-seated ‘Sit and Be Fit’ exercises to help them stay healthy and active at home. SAFC director David Jones has also reached out to members, personally calling 45 fans. Read more here.

FAMILY LEARNING AT HOME
Alternative activities have been introduced to courses to allow parents and children to participate in sessions from the safety of their own home. Check out Victoria’s Garden Olympics here. Classes have also been provided based on the national curriculum and teaching low-income families how to cook healthy meals on a budget.

SUPPORT FOR SCHOOLS
Throughout these challenging times, schools are still preparing learning materials to ensure quality education for young people continues. The Foundation have been keen to support by offering and adapting the in-school packages through our Premier League Inspires programme for Greenfield Community College to be facilitated online by specialist tutors.

FAMILY CHALLENGES WITH PREMIER LEAGUE STARS
Every Friday Premier League Stars share a challenge for all the family to get involved, these are shared by us every week on our official Facebook and Twitter pages. You can also follow Premier League Communities here.

HELP WITH HOME-SCHOOLING
Whether it’s an art lesson at home or a lockdown boredom buster our SAFC-themed activity packs are a great asset – download them here.

DAILY INCLUSION ACTIVITIES
Inspired by BBC Children in Need and ScS, over 1,500 have engaged with inclusive activities, you can check these out every day on our official Facebook page here.

CREATING ONLINE COMMUNITIES
During lockdown, our tutors have also been continuing their work and mentoring through WhatsApp and Zoom call sessions ensuring the young people, families and vulnerable adults that we work with are still supported:

🎮 Scores of budding stars from the Community Clubs have rose to the FIFA Zoom Tournament challenge
📲 Youngsters from our YOLO programme are staying engaged through weekly WhatsApp tasks
💻 Some pupils from our scholarship programme were invited to a Q&A session with SAFC Ladies skipper Keira Ramshaw
💃 Our Children in Need disability dance group continue to make moves each week with virtual dance classes on Zoom

WORKING WITH OUR PARTNERS

MIND
Remember to check in with your friends and family – a text, a phonemail – #HaveYourMatesBack

There's never been a more important time to #HaveYourMatesBack Our friends from @MindCharity share their tips on staying connected and reaching out to our mates we're not seeing on match day. How are you having your mate's back?💪 @EFL @washingtonmind pic.twitter.com/kf8xUBK7vF

— Foundation of Light (@SAFCFoL) April 3, 2020

BEACON BEAMS BLUE FOR NHS

BEACON BEAMS BLUE FOR NHS

YOU V TRAIN
Parents are being to highlight importance of staying away from railways to their children. Network Rail, EFL Trust, British Transport Police and StreetGames came together to launch ‘You vs. Train’ to tackle the increasing number of people risking their lives.

POWERED BY WATER
Northumbrian Water are highlighting the importance of hydration. Through the company’s Powered by Water programme, the Foundation of Light has educated thousands of primary school children on the importance of drinking water to keep them healthy and hydrated.

During these difficult times, please continue to support us so we can keep up our vital work and help those most in need.

>>> Donate now

Written By Kate Smith

13 May 2020