Newcastle United Foundation strikes up £1.1m partnership to support art facility

A new £1.1m partnership has been announced between a Newcastle football club foundation and a local building society.

The partnership will see Newcastle United Foundation and Newcastle Building Society support the creation of a new art community facility, at the Murray House Recreation Centre.

The six year partnership will also see the Society become the Foundation’s Regional Community Partner, helping to support the delivery of community programmes that create opportunities for children, young people and families.

Sarah Medcalf, deputy head of the Newcastle United Foundation, said: “We’re thrilled to have a major North East institution like Newcastle Building Society working with us at such an exciting and historic time for the Foundation.

“Covid-19 will have a lasting impact on all levels of society, but it’s important that organisations like the Foundation and its partners support our region’s most vulnerable young people and communities.

“We’re confident that the Murray House redevelopment will create a safe space to support young people and bring communities together, ensuring that disadvantaged and vulnerable young people remain connected, engaged and mobilised.

“The partnership will continue to develop throughout the journey of opening the facility and beyond and we will work with Newcastle Building Society, engaging with their colleagues, members and stakeholders to bring the partnership to life and create a true sense of community.”

Newcastle Building Society’s chief executive, Andrew Haigh, said: “We are delighted to have made this long-term commitment to Newcastle United Foundation at a time when it is so important to support our communities and invest in the future of young people in our region.

“It’s more important than ever that we work together to drive the region’s recovery and find ways to help those who need it most. Youth employability is key to this, so we’re excited to team up with the Foundation and support their valuable work for the next six years, and benefit thousands of people across the North East.

“The Foundation’s new centre to be built on the site of Murray House is an amazing, inspiring and innovative project that will deliver positive outcomes for young people for years to come and I couldn’t be more proud that Newcastle Building Society will be part of that future.”