June 26, 2026
Harrison Foundation Celebrates Impact of Newcastle United Foundation Partnership
The Harrison Foundation and Newcastle United Foundation (NUF) joined up to celebrate the success of a partnership that has been creating opportunities for young people across Newcastle and North Tyneside since 2017.
The celebration event brought together supporters, partners and staff to discuss the impact of programmes that are helping hundreds of young people each year build confidence, develop new skills and improve their life chances. During the event, Harrison Foundation trustee Daniel Harrison MBE spoke about the shared ambition that has underpinned the partnership from the very beginning – improving social mobility by helping more young people realise their full potential.
Since the partnership began, the Harrison Foundation has supported a range of initiatives designed to engage young people both in schools and within the wider community. At the heart of this work is the Partner Schools programme, which sees dedicated Newcastle United Foundation staff working alongside schools to support pupils with confidence, wellbeing and engagement with education. The programme now supports more than 900 young people each academic year, helping them develop the skills and resilience needed to succeed both in education and later in employment.
The Harrison Foundation has also helped establish the Harrison Centre for Social Mobility at NUF’s flagship city centre building, NUCASTLE, creating opportunities for young people to develop digital skills and explore pathways into further education, training and employment. More recently, the Harrison Challenge has become an important part of the partnership, bringing together students from partner schools to develop teamwork, creativity, communication and problem-solving skills through a Dragon’s Den-style competition.
Speaking at the event, Daniel Harrison MBE said: “Our partnership with Newcastle United Foundation has always been about creating opportunities for young people who may simply need someone to help them unlock their potential. Success at school isn’t just about exam results. It’s about confidence, resilience and helping young people recognise what they are capable of achieving. By supporting programmes that develop these qualities, we’re helping young people build the skills they need for education, employment and life.”
The impact of the partnership continues to grow. More than 1,600 sessions are delivered each year through the Partner Schools programme, with 93% of participants saying they feel more inspired and engaged. Nine in ten young people report improved confidence and self-esteem, while 89% say their physical and mental wellbeing has improved. During the last academic year alone, more than 11,500 hours of physical activity were delivered alongside over 22,000 attendances at breakfast, lunchtime and after-school activities. More than 470 young people also took part in social action projects, developing leadership skills, teamwork and a stronger sense of community responsibility.
The event also provided an opportunity to look ahead to the next stage of the partnership. The Harrison Foundation and Newcastle United Foundation remain committed to expanding the reach of the Harrison Centre for Social Mobility, the Partner Schools programme and the Harrison Challenge, while continuing to strengthen pathways from education into further education, training and employment.