In May 2026, it was a landmark day at Foundation 2 Change. We were delighted to welcome the Secretary of State, Shabana Mahmood, alongside Councillor Cotton and future candidate Tyrone Fowles, for a visit to our hub to see first-hand the rehabilitation work we are doing to support some of the most vulnerable people in our community.
It was a real privilege to walk our visitors through our current rehabilitation model, the people we work with every day, and the future plans we have to grow our reach across the region. Sitting down together over a cup of tea (and a generous jar of biscuits), we shared the stories that drive what we do and the outcomes that prove the model works.
Backed by the Pride in Place Programme
The visit also gave us the chance to publicly thank the Pride in Place programme for their incredible support. Their funding will enable us to create a brand-new kitchen at the Foundation 2 Change hub, transforming a vital part of our space into a dedicated learning environment for the people we support.
Pride in Place is a UK Government initiative built on a simple but powerful idea: communities know what their neighbourhoods need, and grassroots organisations are best placed to deliver real, lasting change. Being chosen to receive this funding is recognition of the work our team has put in over many years, and we are hugely grateful.
Why a New Kitchen Matters
For the people we work with, a kitchen is far more than just a place to cook. It is one of the most practical, confidence-building environments we can offer.
Our next cohort of cooks will use the new space to develop the everyday life skills that so many people on the path to rehabilitation have never been given the chance to learn. That includes:
- Cooking healthy meals on a tight budget
- Managing money and planning weekly shopping
- Preparing and storing food safely
- Building routine, structure, and independence
- Working together as a team in a real-world environment
These are the foundations that underpin a stable life. Learning to feed yourself well, manage a budget, and take pride in something you have made with your own hands is genuinely transformative, and it is exactly the kind of practical support that helps people move forward with confidence.
A Day of Real Conversations
One of the things that struck us most about the visit was how engaged Shabana Mahmood, Councillor Cotton, and Tyrone Fowles were with the people in the room. This was not a quick photo opportunity. It was a proper conversation about what works, what is still needed, and how rehabilitation can be delivered in a way that genuinely changes lives.
Our team and the individuals we support spoke openly about their experiences, the barriers they have faced, and the difference Foundation 2 Change has made on their journey. Those conversations matter, and we are grateful to everyone who took the time to listen.
Looking Ahead
With the Pride in Place funding now in place, work on the new kitchen will begin shortly. We will be sharing updates as the build progresses and as our next cohort of cooks gets started.
To our visitors, our funders, our team, and most importantly the people who walk through our doors every week and trust us with their next chapter: thank you. Exciting times ahead.
Get Involved
If you would like to support our work, refer someone who could benefit from our rehabilitation programmes, or partner with Foundation 2 Change, please get in touch with our team. Every conversation, donation, and referral helps us reach more people who need us.
