During a challenging year, the Foundation focused on supporting communities, its partners and charities with mental health resources, help with social isolation and education.
Although many of Foundation’s plans could not go ahead, the cricket charity was able to get a number of projects off the ground including a year-long project with long-term partners Great North Children’s Hospital and launching a new Cricket Development Centre based at Emirates Riverside with Park View Academy.
Mental Health
Former England Batsman Graeme Fowler became the Foundation’s Mental Health Ambassador – an important step for the Foundation and its ambition to work to reduce stigma around mental health and lead key conversations that drive change and provide support.
Throughout a year of social isolation, the Foundation and Graeme Fowler produced video series, focusing on promoting positive mental wellbeing during the COVID-19 outbreak, aiming to support the community to cope with the challenges of lockdown.
The resources highlighted vital advice to help all of us look after our mental health in an unprecedented situation and to communicate with one another as best as possible while staying at home.
The Foundation was proud to support an event in memory of Emily Moore which supported over 200 families of children who suffer with mental health difficulties during the summer at Emirates Riverside.
The event delivered by Rollercoaster Parent Support Group welcomed families that are part of the Rollercoaster Group to attend and make their own wellbeing box as Emily’s gift to them.
The day was made possible with funds raised in memory of Emily Moore – a teenager from County Durham, who sadly died having suffered mental health problems.
The Foundation was delighted of Rollercoaster Founder Wendy Minhinnett’s achievement to make the Independent’s national “Happy List”, which celebrated the people doing remarkable things in response to the pandemic.
Education
In 2020 Durham Cricket Foundation partnered with the Great North Children’s Hospital to deliver a year-long sports and educational programme at the Newcastle Bridges School.
The Foundation is delivering sport as a teaching and communication tool in conjunction with the teaching staff at the Hospital as the project aims to help children become more active, where possible, while delivering personal outcomes to students.
The Great North Children’s Hospital has been a long-term partner for the Foundation but this is the first shared project the charities work on collaboratively for a whole academic year.
In April the Foundation also partnered with Park View Academy of Sport to launch a new Education and Cricket Development Centre, based at Emirates Riverside, which is already in its first academic year.
Ash Thorpe was appointed as the Head Coach of the Cricket Development Centre and is leading the new programme for 16-19-year old cricketers, combining academic studies with progression within cricket.
Change of Leadership for the Foundation
Following Josie Pointon’s departure from her role as a Foundation Manager in 2020, the Foundation is now run by Graeme Weeks, who also leads the Cricket Development Department at Durham Cricket.
Weeks is supported by Liam Simpson, who has been promoted into a newly created role of Cricket Development and Foundation Manager, responsible for the management of Durham Cricket’s Foundation as well as the Cricket Development Department.
The new structure will ensure Josie’s legacy and good work of the Foundation is continued, while it also creates synergy with the work of Durham Cricket’s Recreational Department.
The charity’s work aligns well with some of the Cricket Development Department’s recreational and community projects and the new structure will support an efficient partnership.
In 2021, Foundation’s plans are to deliver quality activities both out in the community alongside partners, but also engage more with members both on a match day and on days when cricket is not being played. The charity will concentrate on its core themes of mental wellbeing, active ageing and reducing social isolation.
We would like to thank our amazing partners for standing by us throughout this pandemic and supporting us in being able to deliver our future plans.
For further information about the work that we do or to find out about opportunities to support the Durham Cricket Foundation please contact us: email liam.simpson@durhamcricket.co.uk or call 0191 387 2868.