The Steve Morgan Foundation launches new website and refreshed brand

The Steve Morgan Foundation has launched a new website and refreshed brand to reflect the Foundation’s ongoing philanthropic impact.

The Foundation was launched in 2001 by Steve Morgan CBE, in a desire to give something back to the communities and causes closest to his heart. Since 2001, Steve has donated more than £3 million to the Foundation, benefitting more than four million individuals.

The new website has been designed with the external user in mind, easy to use with a wealth of information about the philanthropic work of the Foundation, its team and trustees, and how charities can apply for funding. The brand refresh, which includes a modified logo and colour scheme, will help to correctly position the Steve Morgan Foundation as a leading UK charitable foundation, delivering best-in-class philanthropy through practice, partnerships and impact.

At the heart of the Foundation’s work is our strategic partnerships with both large national, and local organisations where we can work together to make the greatest impact and long-term difference to those in need. We work alongside our strategic partners to achieve our joint ambitions and goals; we share our expertise, knowledge and best practice, in addition to funding to ensure that our joint impact can be maximised. You can read more about these partnerships and all of our other case studies here.

Steve Morgan Foundation supports Everton in the Community with multi-million-pound funding

The Steve Morgan Foundation is delighted to be supporting Everton in the Community with multi-million-pound funding to deliver early intervention programmes in Liverpool 4 and South Sefton to tackle social deprivation and inequalities that often hinder young people from getting the best start in life.

The Steve Morgan Foundation has been working with the charitable arm of Everton Football Club since 2020, delivering the ‘Steve Morgan Impact Model’ in Speke-Garston to protect young people from exploitation and inspire them to reach their full potential. In the last three years more than 13,500 individuals have been supported resulting in significant improvements in mental wellbeing, developments in skills and knowledge, and increases in attendance and engagement in school.

Everton in the Community’s delivery of the Impact Model in South Liverpool has also contributed to wider school and community changes, such as improved Ofsted ratings in two of the three high schools it works in, improved literary scores and declining anti-social behaviour trends in an area where 40% of young people aged 16+ have no qualifications and 40% of children live in poverty.

And it is thanks to the significant impact of its work in Speke-Garston as to why Everton in the Community and the Steve Morgan Foundation are keen to roll out the Impact Model in Liverpool 4 and South Sefton to nurture aspirations for a brighter tomorrow.

The wards of Liverpool 4 and South Sefton suffer from high levels of deprivation, crime, poor health and child exploitation and the new three-year multi-million-pound funding will see EitC work in primary and secondary schools in the area to deliver the ‘Steve Morgan Impact Model’ to elevate academic achievements, prevent anti-social behaviour and vulnerability to gangs, improve physical and mental wellbeing, develop work and life skills, and boost confidence and self-esteem.

Thanks to the funding received from the Steve Morgan Foundation, the independently financed and independently-governed charitable arm of Everton Football Club will deliver targeted interventions in identified high schools and primary schools across Liverpool 4 and South Sefton to overcome these issues as well as tackling inadequate provision for students with special educational needs and disabilities, struggling literacy skills, negative behaviour and attitudes and limited access to enrichment opportunities.

Over three years, charity staff will work in four identified high schools and nine primary schools to support thousands of young people at a crucial stage in their education journey and deliver personal, social and health education as well as provide access to a range of after-school activities, career and pathway programmes, one-on-one mentoring, social action projects, pastoral support, literacy and numeracy initiatives and much more with the aim of improving attendance rates, enhancing SEND provision, fostering positive behaviour and increasing access to diverse enrichment opportunities.

Everton in the Community will also provide wrap-around support to families of children connected to the Steve Morgan Impact Model and provide employment support, pathways into the charity’s new ADHD screen service as well as specialist mental health support and welfare and benefit advice.

EitC Chief Executive Officer Sue Gregory said: “The areas of Liverpool 4 and South Sefton are home to some of the most deprived communities in the country where our research has shown that socio-economic challenges severely impact education. The aftermath of the pandemic hit these communities harder than most, leaving young people vulnerable and in desperate need of support.

“Thanks to this significant funding from Steve Morgan Foundation, we are able to deliver immediate and decisive interventions in these areas to prevent them succumbing to a life of crime and help them achieve a good education and subsequent employment.

“Our vision is to create systematic change in the Liverpool 4 and South Sefton communities by investing in youth and offering vital support to their families. We believe that the Steve Morgan Impact Model will continue to serve as a pioneering model of place-based change and a flagship programme for transforming communities as we work together to build a better future for our young people.

Liam Eaglestone, CEO of the Steve Morgan Foundation added, “We have been proud to work with Everton in the Community since 2019 and we are delighted to provide our practical support and financial backing for the expansion of the Steve Morgan Impact Model into Liverpool 4 and South Sefton.

“The Impact Model was originally inspired by Steve Morgan’s desire to give back to the community in which he grew up and our partnership with Everton in the Community highlights the Foundation’s approach to providing long-term secure funding, underpinned by very practical support and expertise. We are thrilled that the Impact Model will now have the potential to change the trajectories of thousands more young lives in our region.”

The Steve Morgan Foundation also provided significant funding and support for the development of The People’s Place – Everton in the Community’s purpose-built mental health and wellbeing hub and the first such initiative by any Premier League club.

Steve Morgan Foundation recognises exemplary service of Director of Grants

Jane Harris, the Director of Grants at the Steve Morgan Foundation has announced her planned retirement at the end of July. Following a 17-year tenure at the charity, Jane will continue her longstanding association by immediately joining the Board of Trustees.

Jane has been integral to the development of the Foundation, starting as the sole employee and managing its growth into one of the UK’s leading foundations today. Jane has built lasting relationships with many charities and organisations across the UK and was also behind the Foundation’s annual conference and awards events, which have seen numerous charities recognised for their excellent work.

Jane will continue to deliver support and insight to the charity as a member of its Board of Trustees, which she will join in August.

Commenting on Jane’s service to the charity, founder and chairman Steve Morgan says: “When the history of the Foundation is written, it will largely consist of the history of Jane Harris and her leadership. Jane has been at the absolute centre of the work of the Foundation for the past 17 years and has been responsible for developing and maintaining our exceptional network.”

“During her tenure, some of Jane’s most notable achievements include the Community Match Challenge, where £20 million was awarded to more than 120 organisations and individuals across Merseyside and Cheshire within a period of just 59 days. Jane has also played a key role in the Cradle to Career scheme, which has cumulatively been awarded over £6m for improving children’s literacy standards across North Birkenhead and the Liverpool City Region.

“We can’t thank Jane enough for her commitment over the years and we are delighted that she will continue to support us by joining our Board of Trustees.”

Of her experience at the Steve Morgan Foundation, Jane says: “Through my work at the Foundation, I have been lucky enough to meet many people doing extraordinary things that truly change lives.

“It has been an honour and a privilege to work with so many incredible charities over the years, to help them grow and make a real difference to our local communities. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with the dedicated team at the Foundation, as a member of the Board, and seeing our CEO Liam Eaglestone continue to steer the charity towards an even brighter, more promising future.”

Everton in the Community opens Premier League’s first mental health hub

Everton in the Community has officially opened the doors to The People’s Place – the first purpose-built mental health and wellbeing hub attached to a Premier League football club.

The People’s Place was officially declared open by Evertonian and Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham as part of a ceremony attended by a variety of stakeholders who have all played a part in helping to shape the building ready for community use.

Made possible thanks to significant contributions from the Steve Morgan Foundation, the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation, Causeway Technologies and their founder Phil Brown, the multi-million-pound facility will offer a first-of-its-kind service delivered by a football club’s community foundation.

The building, located just 500 metres away from Goodison Park, will house the charity’s 15 mental health projects and provide wellbeing activities alongside educational and employment support, using virtual reality, immersive experiences and artificial intelligence to complement delivery. The People’s Place will also offer a layer of professional care from health and wellbeing practitioners, GPs and mental health professionals.

Funds for the capital build were also raised by a wide variety of fundraising activity including a gala dinner, a Ravin’ Fit dance session with Jordan Pickford, a hug-a-thon with Andre Gomes, the Spellow Brick Lane commemorative walkway and The Speed Cycle, where a group of cyclists biked around the late Gary Speed’s former clubs in his memory.

Everton in the Community has been delivering award-winning, life-changing and life-saving mental health provision across Merseyside for more than 15 years and The People’s Place, situated on Spellow Lane, will form the latest part of the charity’s Goodison Campus. Research shows that poor mental health and suicide are more common in more significantly deprived inner-city areas such as Liverpool 4 where Goodison Park resides.

The last 10 years has seen Everton in the Community – along with partners – invest more than £13million in the physical regeneration of the area, changing the face of the landscape around Goodison Park, transforming derelict sites into thriving destinations.

Alongside The People’s Place, the Goodison Campus boasts The People’s Hub and The Blue Base – which have both also previously been supported by Football Foundation investment – as well as Everton Free School and the Cruyff Court.

The addition of The People’s Place will see the charity continue to help transform lives by providing access to mental health support to all, regardless of age, gender or football allegiances.

Michael Salla, Deputy CEO for Everton in the Community, said: It’s a very proud moment for our charity to open the People’s Place, which will provide a range of evidence-based activities to improve mental health and wellbeing. The whole community stands to benefit from this hub through improved wellbeing, skills and access to high-quality, health care in a community setting.”

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “As a proud Evertonian and a big advocate of mental health support, it was an honour and a privilege to be invited to officially open The People’s Place. This is a much-needed facility in the heart of a community that needs it most. It will enable Everton in the Community to continue to grow and develop its well-earned reputation in delivering high-quality mental health provision as well as providing access to key clinical services in L4.”

Liam Eaglestone, CEO of the Steve Morgan Foundation, said: “The Steve Morgan Foundation is very proud to partner with EitC who have a wonderful track record, over many decades, of making a sustained and positive difference to the people and communities within the Liverpool area, and beyond.

We are delighted to have been able to contribute funds towards the construction of the new People’s Place building on the Goodison Campus. This wonderful new facility will enable EitC to give more people more access to a broad range of activities and specialist support to enhance every area of health and wellbeing. The Steve Morgan Foundation is committed to working with great partners like EitC with the shared vision of changing lives for good.”