A significant milestone for the Harrison Foundation in 2024 was the official opening of the Harrison Theatre at Mowden Hall School. The state-of-the-art facility, funded by the Foundation, enhances the school’s arts curriculum and serves as a vital cultural hub for students and the wider community. The theatre symbolises the Foundation’s dedication to nurturing creativity and fostering access to high-quality arts education, ensuring future generations can explore and express their talents.
The Harrison Foundation extended its seven-year partnership with Sunderland’s Foundation of Light to support people striving to reach their full potential. Through various initiatives, this partnership equips students with the skills, mentorship, and opportunities needed to succeed academically and professionally. The Harrison Prize 2024 continued the Foundation’s tradition of encouraging enterprise. The award recognises students at the Harrison Centre Sunderland who demonstrate creativity and ingenuity and inspires others to strive for success. The Prize reflects the Foundation’s mission to encourage academic excellence and create opportunities for the next generation of leaders.
Similarly, the Harrison Foundation’s partnership with the Newcastle United Foundation (NUF), which began in 2017, goes from strength to strength. 2024 marked the third anniversary of the Harrison Centre for Social Mobility based at NUF where students work towards a BTEC in digital skills followed by employment. The Harrison Centre Newcastle is also used by the local community with an increase in usage by local residents, schools and community groups. Sessions include an introduction to the direct/indirect careers available in the wider digital sector. This year, over 300 individual sessions have been delivered with over 3,100 individual uses from visitors.
Elsewhere in 2024, the Foundation continued to support one of its more recent partners, the Dales School in Blyth. This school, which provides tailored support to children with unique learning needs, used the funds to enhance its outside facilities and resources. The Harrison Foundation’s contribution directly improved the students’ learning experience, ensuring they receive the specialised care and education they deserve. This underscores the Foundation’s focus on inclusivity and its commitment to empowering all children, regardless of their circumstances.
At the beginning of the year, the Harrison Foundation’s trustee Daniel Harrison had the opportunity to visit St Oswald’s Hospice in Newcastle. The hospice provides outstanding, specialist and expert care to adults and children with life-limiting conditions in the North East as well as short respite breaks to children and young adults from 0-25 and support for those going through a bereavement. The visit followed a £20,000 donation, which enabled the charity to purchase a state-of-the-art Arjo Rhapsody bath and lift trolley, an essential piece of equipment that will bring much joy to patients.
The Harrison Foundation rounded off 2024 on a high note, by donating over £20,000 to local charities in the run up to Christmas. Overall in 2024, the Harrison Foundation has donated more than £620,000 to charitable projects at home and abroad with the common aim of improving life chances. In 2025, we look forward to working with our long standing partners as well as creating new relationships.
Wishing you all a peaceful, happy Christmas and a prosperous new year.