The Foundation exists to help children, young people and their families get the very best start in life. It supports the work of Health Visitors, School Nurses and wider children’s public health services across a wide area of England, including North Yorkshire, County Durham, Gateshead, Middlesbrough, Sunderland, Stockton-on-Tees and other communities.
The foundation raises funds through a range of activities. These include events, community projects, appeals, regular giving and one-off donations. Money raised goes beyond core NHS funding to improve services and experiences for children, young people and their families. This can include specialist equipment, additional training for staff, care packs, environment enhancements and other support that helps families to thrive.
The vision of the Great Start in Life Foundation is simple and powerful. It aims to enhance the Health Visitor and School Nursing services that are vital to early childhood and family health. By raising extra funds, the foundation helps ensure that families who come into contact with these services receive the highest quality care and support.
The foundation spans a broad geographical area. It supports the delivery of public health nursing services from birth up to age 19, and up to age 25 for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). This makes it one of the largest such services in the UK.
Community involvement is at the heart of the foundation’s work. Individuals, schools, community groups, businesses and volunteers can get involved by fundraising, hosting events, taking on challenges or donating directly. Every contribution helps strengthen services and enrich the lives of children and young people.
By supporting the Great Start in Life Foundation, donors help make a measurable difference right across local communities. The foundation enables additional support that would not otherwise be possible under standard NHS service funding.
