Rio Ferdinand Foundation CEO, Gary Stannett, shares his 2023 highlights

As 2023 draws to a close, it's a good time to reflect on what has been a busy and evolving 12 months for the Rio Ferdinand Foundation as we have rebuilt from the years of COVID, responded to new and emerging challenges and started to deliver our vision for social justice and social mobility on a national scale across both the UK and Ireland. Way too much has happened to fully cover here, so a few personal highlights and thanks from me.

Our strategy to bring together all elements of youth culture to inspire and support young people to build skills, build networks and provide opportunities for career development has truly come together this year with projects and events delivered in London, Manchester, Newcastle, Belfast, Dublin and Sligo supported by a range of industries and individuals. A huge thanks to Warner Music UK and Warner Music Ireland, Kiss FM, Bauer Media, The Jockey Club and UEFA Foundation for the ongoing support, and welcome to the Foundation to our new partners Ralph Lauren and our partnership on the #PinofSolidarity. Our work couldn't have happened in the same way without the support from key businesses, so thank you for your input, staff time, and resources to deliver some great programmes and events.

It’s has been great to see that our work across the UK has moved forward significantly, delivering projects to some of the most excluded young people and communities with some fantastic local partners and strategic networks. Thanks goes to Findel who stepped up when we were looking for business support in Manchester, to Catalyst and Choice Housing in Belfast, Generator in Newcastle and Statom UK in London who have all gone beyond expectations to provide training, mentoring, resources and opportunities in their local communities.

Our work across the island of Ireland has extended to 12 counties with our new partnership with International Fund for Ireland and local partnerships with Glentoran FC and Sligo Rovers as we seek to deliver a platform through sport for young people to build relationships and shape their communities. We saw a great launch of the project in Manchester and youth events in Belfast, Derry/Londonderry and Leitrim to get the project underway. It was also great to get Paddy Harte and Rio Ferdinand together in London to talk about the project too.

Speaking of Rio, 2023 saw our founder attend a whole series of events with One Young World, Michael B Jordan, and Kiss FM to share our vision this year so a big thanks to you and the team at New Era for your support again. Our ambassadors are key to the success of our organisation, so this year a big thanks to Patrick Hutchinson, Joel Beya and Sello who joined the team to share their knowledge, wisdom and networks.

As ever, though, saving the best till last – a huge thank you to the young people who have shaped and made these projects their own and have overcome some huge challenges to strive to reach their potential. It's always an honour to be able to contribute, support and help in any way we can and its when we see participants in our projects flourish. And of course, this wouldn't be possible without the fantastic staff team who go above and beyond to deliver services throughout the year, to the volunteers and youth leaders who give up their time and work so hard to inspire and mentor participants, and the local agencies, individuals and activists we work with to tray and make the sum bigger than the parts as we try to make a transformational change for our communities.

On a slightly more sombre note, we have to recognise that despite the successes of 2023, we are still working in an uncertain world – child poverty and the gap between the 'haves' and 'have nots' in society is wider than it has been in living memory. Local services are being cut as authorities try to balance the books. Society and politics are more divided and confrontational than ever. As a result, the need for our services, and those of the charity and 'third sector' more widely are never more in demand and never more under threat.

That's why in 2024 we will be taking a more central role in working with the Hope Collective with partners nationally, drawing together organisations across the UK from all sectors to re-imagine society, share learning and resources and give young people a platform to change society and have their voice heard!

Have a wonderful Christmas, everyone; enjoy the festive period and I look forward to everyone coming back stronger in 2024.