November 6, 2025
Opening of the Harrison Wellbeing Hub at Acomb First School
This week marked a proud milestone for the Harrison Foundation and the wider community in Acomb, Northumberland, as we celebrated the official opening of the Harrison Wellbeing Hub at Acomb First School. The hub is a purpose-built facility created to support the emotional, sensory and learning needs of children with additional needs.
The event was hosted by head teacher Hannah Williamson, whose leadership has been instrumental in bringing this project to life. Also attending were the founders of the Harrison Foundation Sir David Harrison and Lady Sylvia Harrison, along with trustees Daniel Harrison MBE, Siobhan Harrison, Rachel Harrison and Philip Harrison. We were also honoured to welcome Shola Ameobi, former Newcastle United and Nigeria international footballer, who remains a passionate advocate for young people and inclusive education.
To mark the opening, pupils from Acomb First School delivered some fantastic singing performances to parents, governors and guests in an inspiring start to what will undoubtedly be a transformative resource for generations of children to come.
The Harrison Foundation pledged £126,300 to support the development of the Harrison Wellbeing Hub, part of its long-standing commitment to promoting social mobility and educational access for all. The new facility is specifically designed to meet the needs of children with additional needs and sensory processing difficulties. Over 50% of the school’s pupils are expected to use the space throughout the year, with some accessing it regularly and others through targeted interventions.
Designed as a calming, separate space from regular classrooms, the Hub features sensory panels, calming lights, quiet zones and therapy equipment, and will be used for one-on-one and group support sessions. The room is also intended for family workshops and wider community engagement, with plans for other local schools and charities to benefit from the facility in the future.
Speaking at the event, Sir David Harrison highlighted the purpose and impact of the Foundation’s support:
“The Harrison Wellbeing Hub will be a huge asset to the pupils here at Acomb First School and the wider community. Congratulations to everyone that has transformed this from an idea into the space we see today. The really exciting part is what happens inside it and the potential that can be unlocked.
The reason we at the Harrison Foundation are delighted to support this is because our belief is in giving people a hand up, removing the barriers that prevent people from achieving what could be possible for them. By building this sensory classroom, we’re providing pupils here with the opportunity to reach their full potential.”
Trustee Daniel Harrison MBE also spoke about the broader impact of the Foundation’s mission:
“What we’ve created here is not just a room, it’s a place where children can be supported to overcome challenges and start believing in their own potential. That’s the essence of what the Harrison Foundation is all about. We want every child to feel they have a chance, and this Hub is one more step towards making that a reality.”
As part of the Harrison Foundation’s growing network of centres focused on wellbeing, learning, and employability, the Acomb Wellbeing Hub is a shining example of what’s possible when philanthropy and education work hand in hand. It is more than a facility, it is a welcoming environment where children can be seen, heard and supported.
We are incredibly proud to support this new chapter for Acomb First School and look forward to seeing the life-changing impact it will have in the years ahead.