Team Talk

THE collapse of Redcar-based SSI in 2015 left more than 2,000 directly-employed staff without work and affected hundreds more in the supply chain. As a community it was important to the local area to work together and offer a unique project which could help support those affected by recent redundancies.

‘Team Talk’ was joint funded by Middlesbrough Council and Redcar & Cleveland Council along with additional support from Middlesbrough FC players who donated proceeds from their charity topless calendar. The proceeds went directly towards the programme, which significantly helped to launch and run Team Talk.

Team Talk is aimed at engaging males recently made redundant across Teesside, targeting mainly men aged 40+ who have been impacted by the recent closure of SSI Steelworks.

This model looked at engaging local champions in communities that would assist with tackling social isolation and loneliness by supporting individuals to maintain latent functions such as time structure during the day, continued shared experiences with others, goal setting and continuing to be active. It aims to build community resilience using evidence based mental health improvement interventions.

Empowerment is at the heart of the weekly meetings (called ‘Boot Rooms’) with participants being practical and proactive; aiming to help them to fulfill both group and individual goals. The most important feature of the boot rooms is that the members drive the agenda and activities.

The group have engaged in a number of activities including volunteering on Sporting Memories ’66 event at the Riverside Stadium, attending Newcastle Airport for fire safety training alongside talks on seasonal contracts and are also currently voluntarily renovating the environment surrounding their boot room hub site.

The group have received guest speakers from organisations such as Pension wise, Job Centre and National Careers Service, while they have also attended healthy eating workshops ran by Middlesbrough FC’s 1^st Team Chef, as well as assisting in the running of the annual steel gala day at Redcar. Aside from this they have taken part in interviews and reports for BBC One, The Politics Show, The Northern Echo, The Evening Gazette and BBC Radio Tees.

Contact Oliver on liam.watson@mfcfoundation.co.uk or call 01642 757674

After a little over two-and-a-half-years, our Head of Foundation steps down from her full-time role today, continuing to support the Foundation in a consultancy role on our capital projects whilst embarking on some new opportunities in 2025. 

Lynsey joined from the Premier League Charitable Fund in February 2022 and during her time as Head of Foundation she launched a refreshed strategy for 2024-28, restructured the Foundation and been instrumental in the development of both Loftus Centre and Southlands Centre for the future homes of the Foundation, as well as launching community events and men’s and women’s foundation matches with the Club.

Lynsey said: “It has been a privilege to be Head of Foundation for Middlesbrough FC Foundation, being a lifetime fan of Boro and being able to serve my hometown communities across Tees Valley.  I’ve always been passionate about using sport and physical activity to transform lives as well as advocating for the wonderful region we live and work in.  I leave feeling proud of what I have achieved, knowing the organisation is in a stronger position and leaving it in the hands of the brilliant team to continue the Foundation on its ongoing upward trajectory. I’ve had a wonderful team to work with and who have supported me, and I wish them all the best for the future.  I look forward to seeing what more they can achieve and continuing to support the Boro.”

John Baker, Chair of the Board added: “On behalf of the Board of Trustees I thank Lynsey for her commitment, contribution and leadership over the past two and a half years which has seen a number of developments in the Foundation, not least of which has been the planning of the significant capital projects linked to our proposed new facilities at Loftus and Southlands, Middlesbrough. Lynsey has played a leading role in steering the work on both of these developments which are due for completion in 2025 and is keen to assist us further in progressing the delivery of the projects. Lynsey leaves with our sincere best wishes for continued success in her future career.”

In the interim, Craig McManus, Deputy Head of the Foundation will be leading the Foundation, whilst Lynsey will continue to lead on the Loftus and Southlands Centre developments and the maintenance of the Herlingshaw Centre in partnership with Redcar and Cleveland  and Middlesbrough Borough Council’s respectively.

Should you have any questions or need further information regarding the Foundation, please contact

• Craig McManus, Deputy Head of Foundation – craigmcmanus@mfcfoundation.co.uk
• Enquiries, any other queries – enquiries@mfcfoundation.co.uk

For any enquiries related to Loftus, Southlands or Herlingshaw developments please contact Lynsey Edwards, Consultant – lynsey.edwards@mfcfoundation.co.uk / projectmanager@mfcfoundation.co.uk