North East entrepreneur Helen McArdle has donated £500,000 to support the Foundation of Light in its mission to create opportunities for young people.
Mrs McArdle and her family have donated the funds to support Foundation programmes in a partnership which will see the Helen McArdle Health and Social Care Academy open in the Beacon of Light this year.
The entrepreneur and philanthropist is best known for her work in the care industry, having founded Helen McArdle Care in the 1980s and later Kids 1st Nurseries, dedicating her life to the care and support of people both young and old, having built and operated more than 50 care homes over 30 years, as well as a group of pre-school nurseries.
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She has also devoted time to creating a lasting legacy in the North East, giving generous donations to causes across the North East.
The Helen McArdle Health and Social Care Academy will aim to engage some of the hardest to reach young people aged 16 to 19 into the sector. The Beacon’s Street Level will also be re-named the Helen McArdle Youth Zone.
The Helen McArdle Academy will help learners understand the skills and knowledge needed to work in the care sector and support them to develop practical skills in preparation for employment or progression into further education and training.
Learners will achieve nationally recognised qualifications, improve their numeracy and literacy skills and gain practical, hands-on work experience, as well as gain real life work experience through placements with industry partners, the Foundation’s disability sport, family learning and over-55’s tackling loneliness sessions.
Sir Bob Murray, chairman of the Foundation of Light, said: “We are delighted to welcome Helen McArdle and the McArdle family as Foundation of Light partners, and we are hugely grateful for their support. Working together we are set to improve the lives of thousands of young people and close the employment gap for some of the most disadvantaged in our community.
“Over the last 20 years, we have supported over half a million people to live happier and healthier lives and our key focus has been to support young people to make the right choices. The Helen McArdle partnership will help us continue that mission and is set to support thousands over the next three years.”
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Mrs McArdle said: “I am pleased to be able to support the Foundation of Light, to create a space for young people to learn and grow their skills and provide a pathway into the health and social care industry.
“Like many industries, health and social care is facing a skills shortage but through the work of the Foundation of Light and the other charities we support, I hope that we are creating a lasting legacy to support the industry and provide quality care to thousands across the region.”
The Foundation of Light donation comes two years after the philanthropist gave £2.5m to Newcastle University to help further vital research into ageing. She also donated £2.5m to Sunderland University to support its nursing and care department.
