February 23, 2026
2026 Harrison Challenge launched at the Harrison Centre Newcastle
Harrison Foundation trustee Daniel Harrison MBE officially launched this year’s Harrison Challenge at the Harrison Centre for Social Mobility in Newcastle this month, an initiative designed to inspire creativity, innovation and real-world learning among BTEC learners.
The Harrison Challenge forms part of the Foundation’s long-standing partnership with Newcastle United Foundation, a collaboration that has supported thousands of young people across the North East since 2017. Through shared programmes, guidance and investment in facilities such as the Harrison Centre for Social Mobility at NUCASTLE, the partnership has focused on building confidence, developing employability skills and creating clear progression pathways for young people.
This year’s challenge will see BTEC learners design and deliver an immersive tech experience as part of their coursework. As part of the assessment, learners will present their work to Daniel and the judging panel, explaining how they would use technology progression to enhance and evolve their experience in line with the requirements of their qualification unit. The judging of the challenge will take place in April, giving learners time to refine their ideas and bring their concepts to life.
Speaking at a workshop with the learners at the launch, Daniel encouraged them to see the challenge as an opportunity to stretch themselves and demonstrate the skills they are developing through their course.
He said: “The Harrison Challenge is about applying what you’ve learned in a practical way. It’s about thinking creatively, working as a team and being able to explain your ideas clearly and confidently. Those are the skills that matter in education, in employment and in life.”
The challenge reflects the wider ethos of the Harrison Foundation’s work with Newcastle United Foundation. Over the years, the partnership has supported BTEC and post-16 learners at NUCASTLE, alongside pupils aged 11 and above across six Partner Schools in Newcastle and North Tyneside. Many of the young people engaged in these programmes face additional barriers to learning, including SEND requirements, and benefit from tailored support, guidance and small group delivery.
Through consistent investment, the Harrison Foundation has helped fund more than 1,600 sessions annually across schools and community centres, supporting young people to improve attendance, build resilience and develop positive attitudes towards education. The Harrison Centre for Social Mobility, based within NUCASTLE, has provided further education and employability pathways for young people who may not thrive in traditional environments, helping them progress into apprenticeships, further study or employment.
The Harrison Challenge sits within this broader programme of work, offering learners a way to demonstrate not only technical knowledge but also communication, teamwork and problem solving. By presenting their immersive experiences and explaining how technology could enhance them, learners are asked to think critically about innovation and progression, skills that are increasingly valued across industries.