The Harlequins Foundation is changing the game in the charity sector
Times are tough for charities. Sector growth was sluggish even before coronavirus and lockdown. Now, as incomes are pinched and funding is cut, many are struggling to survive.
One innovative organisation that is managing to adapt to the new environment is The Harlequins Foundation, the charitable arm of Harlequin F.C. which, for hundreds of young people in South-West London, is more than just a rugby club.
Rosie was 14 when she lost her dad. She put on a brave face and continued to work hard at school. But as her GCSEs approached her teachers became increasingly concerned that she was struggling to cope.
It was at this time that the Foundation started to pilot METTLE, a mental health programme helping young people to build up mental resilience, self-confidence and improve decision-making to better navigate set-backs in their lives.
After speaking with Rosie and her teachers, Rosie’s mum, Mary, decided that the programme might be able to help. “I know the power rugby can have to bring people together which is why I was so keen for Rosie to become involved in the METTLE pilot,” Mary said.
“Her dad was a keen rugby player at school and supporter of Harlequins and London Broncos. She wanted to give her all to the programme and knew it was what her dad would have wanted.”
It was difficult at first. But as Rosie started to open up and engage with METTLE’s mentors who visited her at school, Mary noticed her mood and outlook gradually improving.
“She came home one day and said that if rugby players can pick themselves up and keep going, then I can too,” Mary said. “It was then that I knew how far she had come.”
Rosie went on to gain 10 GCSEs, a tremendous achievement given her low ebb and the difficulties she had faced.
“Rosie dealt with the death of her father in an incredibly mature way,” Marc Leckie, Head of The Harlequins Foundation, told Reaction. “She is a lovely young lady, who is an absolute credit to her parents. Her story has always stayed with me because it really shows the impact we can have.”
Rosie is one of hundreds of youngsters who have been involved with METTLE, which is just one strand in a web of community outreach programmes centred around wellbeing, inclusion and skills.
The Foundation hosts nationwide programmes like ‘Hitz’, an award-winning education and employability initiative which equips 14-18 years olds in danger of falling through the educational net with BTECs and crucial Maths and English qualifications.
‘Ahead of the Game’ is a project encouraging young men to talk about their mental health. A poignant video on the Foundation’s website has members of the Harlequins squad opening up about the suicide of friends and their experiences of depression.
“We might hold these sports stars up on a pedestal but they’re affected by all the same impacts we all are,” says Leckie. “By using well known faces we can reach communities that might not listen to messages from the NHS or other more traditional providers. To see that bravery, openness and vulnerability in other men allows you to see it in yourself. Talking is going to save people’s lives.”
The range of programmes is delivered on a very tight budget. While the Foundation is partly funded by Premiership Rugby and the Rugby Football Union, a large chunk of its income comes from the club’s supporters.
But what really sets The Harlequins Foundation apart is its attempt to actually quantify the benefits it provides to the community. The Foundation has harnessed a forecasting tool – SportValueBank – that uses HM Treasury and OECD-approved methods to value the social capital its programmes generate. “It’s the crowning glory of our work,” says Leckie.
The Harlequins Foundation is one of the first sports charities in the UK to adopt the approach. The tool forecasts that the Foundation’s programmes will generate £2.5 million of social capital in the coming year with £4.91 of value generated for every pound invested.
“We all know our work helps people. We’ve got wonderful case studies. But what we also need is a clear, consistent way to measure the difference we make,” says Leckie.
“If people know that the Foundation is quadrupling their investment, instead of hoping that they’ve done good, we can prove it.
“I hope it gives donors more confidence. The sector’s taken a knock over the last few years. Some high profile charities haven’t covered themselves in glory. Donors need to have confidence that we’re using their money wisely.”
The Foundation is hoping to lead by example and encourage other sports charities to adopt its methodology. “We’re trying to move the dial of the sector a little bit,” says Leckie.
Innovation will be crucial to keep afloat in the increasingly hostile environment that coronavirus and lockdown have produced.
“It’s going to be really, really difficult for the charity sector over the next couple of years. A lot of money will be going towards Covid-19 initiatives and that’s got to come from somewhere. A lot less funding will be available. There’ll be more competition and a lot of charities really struggling.
“Right at the start of the pandemic it was very tough. We minimised all of our expenditure. A lot of staff were on furlough but are now back. We’ve done a really good job in pivoting towards the virtual, engaging digitally and calling round the people we support to check up on them.
“We found a path and we have a very clear direction with what we want to do. Of course, we can’t do everything. Our wheelchair rugby and work with older people living with dementia have had to be put on hold.”
Despite these setbacks, Leckie is optimistic about the future of the Foundation.
“We’re so young that we haven’t maximised any of our potential. We’re still like a start-up.
“We have programmes that meet a real need and I’m really confident that on the back of the initiatives we’ve launched over the last 18 months, including during Covid, we’ll be able to continue to use sports to drive a positive change in people’s lives.”
To find out more about the Harlequins Foundation’s work and how you can support them, please visit https://www.harlequins.foundation/