Year at the Beacon of Light

BEACON OF LIGHT TURNS ONE

LIGHTING

UP

NORTH

EAST

LIVES

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WON Structural Steel Design Awards (SSDA) 2018 - Commendation Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) 2019:

- Regional Community Benefit - Grand Final – Community Benefit - Regional Project of the Year - Regional Award

Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) 2019 - Regional Award winner North of England 2019 LABC Regional Building Excellence Awards - Best Educational Building Institute Northern Counties Regional Award 2019 - Best Large Project Named in RIBA Great British Buildings 2019

SHORTLISTED Portfolio Awards 2018 - Leisure Category North East Business Awards 2019 - Tourism Hospitality Award RICS Awards 2019 – Tourism and Leisure North East Charity Awards 2019 – Social Enterprise Category (winners announced 2019)

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BEACON OF LIGHT AFTER SO MANY YEARS OF PLANNING AND FUNDRAISING, I AM PROUD TO WALK INTO THIS BUILDING EVERYDAY AND SEE THE DIFFERENCE IT IS MAKING TO SO MANY LOCAL LIVES. There have been so many special moments over the last year; from the official opening in March 2019 by HRH Countess of Wessex, with Sir Tim Rice hosting our Gala Dinner, to watching local musician - Marty Longstaff from The Lake Poets - play to 3,500 people in our SAFC Fan Zone on Boxing Day. But possibly the most impactful of moments is the day to day ebb and flow of the building as multi-generations of families learn together; spend time together; and stay healthy together.

The Sir Tom Cowie Education Zone continues to inspire through classroom-based education for hundreds of children and adults.

The Vardy Foundation Health and Wellbeing Zone promotes well-being for all our visitors, engaging with 18 months to 80 years old.

FOUNDATION OF LIGHT We are the official charity of Sunderland AFC, which is dedicated to using the power of football to improve the lives of everyone in our region.

In 18 years, we have helped over 400,000 people through community programmes, improving their educational attainment, physical and mental health, access to and participation in sport, and enhancing their employment prospects, with a social return on investment in 2018/19 of over £111,000,000 across Sunderland, South Tyneside and Durham.

We are custodians of the Beacon of Light and all proceeds from the Beacon are reinvested back into our communities via our award-winning programmes.

The Indoor Arena has become home to many sports and leagues. Netball and futsal are now well established whilst we continue to grow sport for the older generations including walking football, walking netball and table tennis.

The rooftop 4G pitch has shown itself to be one of the ‘wow’ factors in the building.

We have introduced three football leagues to the 3G pitches including an InBusiness League and a SAFC Fan’s League which includes a number of different supporter branches.

The Arriva World of Work Zone has grown from strength to strength and we are now able to offer training and qualifications in seven disciplines.

As we look to the future we must continue to ensure that the building’s potential is met, allowing us to re-invest into our communities, through the Foundation of Light.

LESLEY SPUHLER OBE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

FOUNDATIONOFLIGHT.CO.UK

SIR TOM COWIE EDUCATION ZONE

” PEOPLE MATTER

AND THEY MATTER TO YOU...

A HUGE HEARTFELT THANK YOU ON BEHALF OF EVERY PERSON WHO IS GOING TO WALK THROUGH THOSE DOORS, AND ALREADY HAS THROUGH THE FOUNDATION, THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU’VE BEEN DOING.

“

Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex GCVO

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JAMES HERRIOT PARTNERSHIP

GOLDMAN FOUNDATION

Image: Her Royal Highness with local school children in the Sir Tom Cowie Education Zone.

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SIR TOM COWIE EDUCATION ZONE JAMES HERRIOT PARTNERSHIP

” SEEING THE

CHILDREN’S FACES...

I CAN SEE THAT THEY ARE HAVING A FANTASTIC TIME. I REALLY RECOMMEND IT TO ANY SCHOOL. Mrs Clark, Headteacher, Blackhall Primary School

BEACONOFLIGHT.CO.UK

“

GOLDMAN FOUNDATION

Image: Two children enjoy taking part in our Family Fakeaway.

IN FOCUS...

• Education events for local schools including World Book Day, international Erasmus schools programme for over 150 pupils and Black History month which saw 400 people attend alongside SAFC players.

•T he Beacon has supported 28 enterprise courses, delivered in partnership with 18 schools of which 90% of pupils achieved a qualification and 100% improved skills in business and enterprise, literacy, numeracy and ICT. • Family learning across a number of subjects including mental health, nutrition and physical fitness.

• The Disability Champions programme has been delivered to a range of professionals from sport, education and management settings, including an international learning project delivered with over 200 primary school children to raise awareness of disability.

• Teacher and coach CPD events helping educators access the latest skills and knowledge, improving their impact within their own learning environments.

•A STEM exhibition to inspire the engineers of the future which welcomed over 2,000 youngsters.

• Classroom-based learning for 150 16-18-year olds on Foundation of Light scholarship programme.

• The Beacon of Light School moved in September 2019, offering 60 full time equivalent places to Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 youngsters.

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THE VARDY FOUNDATION HEALTH AND WELLBEING ZONE

” I AM VERY

IMPRESSED BY THE BEACON OF LIGHT...

AND THE BROAD RANGE OF WORK BEING DONE HERE TO HELP PEOPLE OF ALL AGES LEAD HEALTHIER AND MORE ACTIVE LIVES.

“

Karen Turner, Prevention Director NHS England and NHS Improvement

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Image: Participants been weighed as part of the Man v Fat programme.

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THE VARDY FOUNDATION HEALTH AND WELLBEING ZONE Image: Extra Time Hub participants enjoy learning to play the ukulele.

” BY COMING TO THE BEACON...

I HAVE MET NEW FRIENDS, DONE THINGS WHICH I THOUGHT I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DO, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY IT HAS GIVEN ME A MORE POSITIVE OUTLOOK ON LIFE.

“

Tom, Extra Time Hub member

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IN FOCUS...

• 150 families from across the North East have taken part in healthy eating courses and innovative holiday courses.

•O ver 100 stone lost through our Ha’weigh the Lasses and Man v Fat health programmes.

• Over 80 people signed up for the Extra Time Hub for over 55s which brings older people together, to combat social isolation.

• Launched Veterans’ Mental Health Complex Treatment Service with NHS; a dedicated support service to help armed forces veterans living with complex mental health needs in the north of England.

• Karen Turner, the Prevention Director of NHS England, and Peter K Small RD MD FRCSEd, Consultant General Surgeon toured the Beacon, watching activity sessions and meeting with Foundation of Light staff.

•S ano Physiotherapy continues to support our partner clubs based within the Beacon of Light, and also offers affordable services to the people of Sunderland.

• 16 staff completed Mind’s Get Set to Go mental health awareness for sport and physical activity training.

•N orthumbrian Water’s Powered

by Water campaign educated over 3,500 children on the importance of staying hydrated and two free refill points have been installed in the Beacon of Light.

• Hosted SAFC Branch Liaison Council’s Suicide Prevention workshops, enabling fans to support each other and talk openly about mental health.

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BEACON HIGHLIGHTS

” I AM A HUGE

ADVOCATE OF THE BEACON OF LIGHT...

IT’S AMAZING HOW TRANSFORMATIVE THE VENUE CAN BE DEPENDING ON THE OCCASION.

“

Natasha McDonagh, Chair of the Sunderland Committee for the Chamber of Commerce •O fficially opened by our Royal Patron, the Countess of Wessex GCVO on 6th March alongside spectacular Gala Dinner hosted by Foundation of Light Trustee Sir Tim Rice, raising over £80,000.

•B ring It On Engineering Expo with 2,000 attendees here at the Beacon of Light.

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•N orth East Automotive Alliance with over 350 delegates attending.

•R ed Sky Ball in the Arena for 750 people.

•T he People’s Vote held a rally with over 300 people attending including MPs, north east business people and social influencers.

• Nearly 1,500 people took part

in the first ‘Summer at the Beacon’ holiday programme.

The Beacon was full of football, dance and multi-sports courses as well as new programmes including ‘Fortneet’, family cooking sessions and fitness programmes for children.

• Team GB athletes welcomed over 700 people to the Beacon

Images: Main image: Marty Longstaff from The Lake Poets singing Shipyards at the Fanzone. Top: Red Sky Ball entertainment.

Middle: First person to find Elmer and Little Herd. Bottom: Royal Gala Dinner.

in August as part of the Nation’s Biggest Sports Day 2019. The Beacon was bursting with sports and activities for all the family, from football to netball, boccia and dance classes.

• A unique Sunderland AFC themed sculpture found its home in the Beacon as part of St Oswald’s Hospice Elmer’s Great North Parade.“The Beautiful Game”

was one of 50 individually designed elephants based on the much-loved children’s character, Elmer the patchwork elephant.

It was sponsored by Stagecoach North East and Sunderland Business Group.

• Hosted three SAFC Fan Zones including the Boxing Day Fan Zone attended by over 3,500 fans.

SAFC winter Fan Zones have been

secured for 19/20 season between November and March 2020.

• Officially announced 19/20 SAFC fixtures through Fixtures Breakfast, which was attended by 100 local businesses.

• Supported the Foundation of Light official match day, with hundreds of fans enjoying free family-orientated sports activities.

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SPORT AND PLAY

” WE WERE

BLOWN AWAY

BY THE FACILITY...

IT ALLIES WITH MANY OF OUR BUSINESS AND PERSONAL VALUES; IT AIMS TO OFFER EXCELLENCE AND BE A LEADER WITHIN ITS FIELD WITHOUT COMPROMISING ITS CORE MISSION. Nathan O’Brien, O’Brien Group

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“

Image: Children on a girl’s only football course were treated to a surprise visit from Sunderland AFC Ladies Keira Ramshaw and Charlotte Potts.

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SPORT AND PLAY

” MY AUTISTIC

SON HAS BEEN HERE FOR A TWO DAY HOLIDAY COURSE...

FROM WALKING IN THE DOOR THE JOINING PROCESS, THE FANTASTIC COACHES AND THE EXCELLENT OVERALL FACILITIES....

THE CUSTOMER SERVICE HAS BEEN SECOND TO NONE. Kevin Robinson, Parent from Sunderland

“

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Image: Children taking part in a dance disability session at Beacon of Light during the summer.

IN FOCUS...

• Launched SAFC In Business and Fans Leagues, alongside PowerPlay and Man v Fat Leagues.

• O ver 60 adult and junior netball teams regularly play at the Beacon of Light and the Beacon hosted the North Durham County Association Netball Junior and Senior Leagues.

• T he building is quickly becoming established as a centre of excellence for netball in the north east.

• W e continue to focus on increasing activity amongst the older generation. Walking football continues to grow in popularity, with a number tournaments held.

We have introduced walking netball and Back to Netball sessions for those who haven’t played for a few years.

• W e maintain our strong partnership with Russell Foster Youth League, with over 200 children aged under U10 playing in the league here every week.

• D urham FA Futsal Leagues are now established with over 150 players playing futsal every week.

We held our first international futsal match in May 2019 when England U23s played Scotland U23s with nearly 200 fans.

• Hosted a number of school sports competitions including Tyne and Wear School Games, primary schools netball tournament, secondary schools football tournament and Sunderland Council’s Big Indoor Sports Festival with over 2000 people.

• Currently home to ten different sports including football, badminton, karate and basketball.

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ARRIVA WORLD OF WORK ZONE

” IT WAS LOVELY TO BE AT THE BEACON OF LIGHT...

AND TO WATCH THESE YOUNG PEOPLE COME UP WITH SO MANY BRILLIANT IDEAS. David Harrison, Founder of the Harrison Centre for Social Mobility

“

BEACONOFLIGHT.CO.UK

Image: Young entrepreneurs who took part in the Harrison Enterprise Challenge by the Harrison Centre founder and entrepreneur David Harrison.

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ARRIVA WORLD OF WORK ZONE

” THE BEACON

OF LIGHT IS...

A UNIQUE CITY CENTRE DEVELOPMENT THAT WILL MAKE AN OUTSTANDING AND LASTING DIFFERENCE TO LOCAL PEOPLE’S LIVES AND WILL CREATE JOBS, DIRECTLY AND INDIRECTLY, AND HELP TO GROW THE NORTH-EAST ECONOMY. Andrew Hodgson, Chair of the North East LEP

BEACONOFLIGHT.CO.UK

“

Image: Job seekers learning new skills in the Arriva World of Work Engineering Zone.

IN FOCUS...

•S even industries supported

with qualifications including Entry Level 1 and 2 in catering and hospitality, engineering and manufacturing, sport and leisure, ICT and digital, health and social care, business services, enterprise and employability and construction.

• Over 800 learners have accessed the Arriva World of Work Zone skills programmes.

• Our Back on Track programme has helped over 16s gain qualifications as well as receive guidance and skills needed.

•7 6% of learners on our employability programmes have progressed to further education and employment, which 97% pass rate across maths and english.

•B arratts Homes Construction Academy will open in Autumn 2019, as Barratt Homes becomes the latest company to support the award-winning facility.

•Y oung entrepreneurs from took part in a competition by Harrison Centre founder and entrepreneur David Harrison to design an app that would help young people save money.

Presented by Justine Greening MP, students won a share of £4,000 and the chance to gain work experience with a team of app developers at David Harrison’s financial technology business, True Potential.

• The Google Digital Garage offered local people free advice and coaching on digital skills to help grow their business, career and confidence.

FOUNDATIONOFLIGHT.CO.UK

” WE WERE HIGHLY IMPRESSED...

WE SAW FOR OURSELVES THE OPPORTUNITY FOR JOY AND NEW EXPERIENCES IT WAS BRINGING FOR PARENTS AND CHILDREN ALIKE. Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee

“

The Beacon of Light is a truly unique space which has the people of Sunderland firmly at its heart. It has captured the imaginations of so many people, with thousands coming through its door each week.

You have played your part in helping us change people’s lives and for that we say thank you. But we want to do more and we are continuing our search for new partners and supporters.

If you know anybody who might interested and would like to send them copies of this publication, or if you would like us to arrange a tour please contact Clare on 0191 563 4733 or email clare.wilson@foundationoflight.co.uk

GOLDMAN FOUNDATION

BEACONOFLIGHT.CO.UK

RONNIE TURNBULL

NORTHERN ROCK FOUNDATION

a bank for good

FENCE HOUSES

JAMES HERRIOT PARTNERSHIP

AVERAGE OF 5,500 VISITORS A WEEK OVER 200,000 VISITS SINCE OPENING

43.5% OF PARTICIPANTS AGED 0-13 YEARS 31% AGED 14-25 YEARS

25.5% OF PARTICIPANTS AGED 26 YEARS AND OLDER 67% ARE MALE 33% ARE FEMALE

4.7% OF PARTICIPANTS HAVE A DISABILITY 7.4% ARE BLACK, ASIAN AND MINORITY ETHNICS FOUNDATIONOFLIGHT.CO.UK

BEACON OF LIGHT STADIUM PARK SUNDERLAND SR5 1SN 0191 563 4818 BUSINESS@BEACONOFLIGHT.CO.UK BEACONOFLIGHT.CO.UK

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FOUNDATION OF LIGHT REGISTERED CHARITY NO: 1089333

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