Here in Clevedon, we pride ourselves on being a community that looks out for one another. Whether we are supporting our independent shops, gathering for inspiring local cultural events like the Clevedon LitFest, or celebrating the creative achievements of our schools, such as Clevedon School’s, wonderful #100daysofart project, there is a distinct local spirit of generosity. At Faces of Clevedon, we want to spotlight a remarkable opportunity to extend that generosity to our town’s young people through a charity doing vital work right on our doorstep: The Jack Hazeldine Foundation (The JHF).
As Chair of the Board of Trustees for The JHF, I see firsthand the challenges our young people face and the quiet miracles our mentors perform every day. We are absolutely thrilled to announce that The JHF has been selected to take part in this year’s Big Give match-funding campaign! This means we have a unique, time-limited window where the value of local support will be instantly doubled. If you have ever wanted to make a tangible difference in the life of a local young person, this is the moment.
To understand why this campaign matters so much, we have to look past organisational targets and focus entirely on the real, individual needs of the children we support.
The Need: Facing Life’s Obstacles Alone
Imagine being a teenager navigating the intense pressures of modern life while dealing with profound personal challenges. For many young people in North Somerset, school and community life can become entirely overwhelming. The reality is stark: 86% of the young people we support have special educational needs, 61% face acute social, emotional, or mental health challenges, and 57% are neurodivergent. Many are also coping with Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), such as trauma, severe prejudice, or bereavement.
Without early, targeted intervention, this trauma compounds. It increases emotional distress and frequently leads to severe anxiety, school avoidance, and social isolation. These are young people who are too often at risk of being ‘written off’ by society.
Consider the story of a local student, M. When M first came to us, the world had shrunk to the four walls of her bedroom; she was suffering from such severe anxiety that she could barely leave the house. She felt anxious, isolated, and unsure of her future. Her confidence was shattered, and the traditional educational system simply didn’t have the resources to reach her.
The Solution: The Power of a Dedicated, Consistent Mentor
This is where The JHF steps in. We know that a trusted, consistent relationship with an adult outside of school and family can be entirely life-altering. Every year, we empower 300 young people across the region to change the course of their lives through trauma-informed mentoring, tutoring, and transition programmes.
Because our work is truly bespoke, we partnered closely with M, her family, and her learning providers to create a personalised plan tailored strictly to her comfort level and goals. For M, there was never going to be a one size fits all approach.
We matched her with a dedicated JHF mentor who began by simply meeting M where she felt safe. Week after week, through art, crafts, and quiet trips to the farm or to the Orchard with her mentor, she began to feel secure again. Her confidence grew, and her world slowly opened back up.
With unwavering patience and professionalism, her mentor provided a reliable, encouraging space. They focused on active listening, building emotional resilience, and slowly unlocking her potential. By showing up consistently, the mentor gave M the tools she desperately needed to process her anxieties and navigate the obstacles that were holding her back.
The Impact: A Transformed Future
The impact of this sustained support has been profound. Two years on from that first conversation, M’s world has completely opened back up. The crushing isolation has faded, and she has successfully re-engaged with education. Today, she is bright, confident, and actively preparing to study animal management at college.
As M’s mother beautifully shared with us:
“She’s gained confidence, happiness and met goals we did not think were possible… we will forever be grateful to you all.”
This isn’t an isolated success story. Over our decade of working as a trusted partner alongside 45 local learning providers and healthcare professionals, we have proven that this intensive approach works. In our last academic year alone, our tailored mentoring achieved incredible milestones with our young people:
- 81% significantly improved their mental health and wellbeing.
- 83% showed marked improvement in their social interactions.
- 74% reduced impulsive or risk-taking behaviour.
- 70% successfully improved their behaviour for learning.
This cross-community impact is precisely why our work is valued so highly by local authorities. As Jan Edwards, a Post-16 Advisor with North Somerset Council, recently shared:
The Difference We Make:
“JHF mentoring has transformed the lives of young people with complex needs, restoring confidence and independence where statutory services alone could not. Demand is high, and their consistent, personalised approach is genuinely life‑changing.
These are young people who might otherwise have been “written offˮ as unemployable or unable to re-engage with education. JHF mentoring has changed trajectories and offered hope. We cannot praise highly enough the professionalism, care, and diligence of JHF mentoring.”
The Generosity Multiplier: One Donation, Twice the Impact
When we invest in one to one mentoring, we aren’t just funding an hour of a mentor’s time; we are unlocking a young person’s future. But to keep expanding our reach to meet the high demand in our community, we need resources. That is why the upcoming Big Give campaign is a true game-changer.
Research shows that match-funding campaigns are incredibly powerful: 84% of donors are more likely to give when they know their gift is being matched, and 36% are more likely to give a larger amount.
For one week only, every single pound you donate will be doubled. Thanks to matching funds already pledged by our campaign partners, your generosity goes twice as far:
- A £10 donation becomes £20, providing vital resources for a targeted tutoring session.
- A £25 donation becomes £50, funding a comprehensive, trauma-informed mentoring session for a young person who needs it most.
- A £100 donation becomes £200, unlocking weeks of consistent, life-altering guidance.
As the official campaign slogan reminds us: ‘One donation, twice the impact.’
The Campaign is LIVE: How You Can Help Right Now
Because this is a strict match-funding initiative, donations must be made online, and they will only be doubled during this official campaign and while the £5000 match-funding pot remains. If you donate even a few minutes after the closing deadline next week, the matching funds cannot be applied.
Campaign Window: Midday today, Monday 22nd June, until 5.00pm next Monday, 29th June.
The clock is ticking, and we want to build incredible momentum right from the launch hour. Your support today will help us hit the ground running and ensure we reach our target. The window is open, and the step you can take right now to change a local life is simple:
If you are unable to donate at this time, you can still play a vital role. Please share this post immediately on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to help spread the word to your own networks. Let’s come together as a town and show Clevedon’s young people that their community stands fully and proudly behind them.
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About the campaign:
Big Give, Global’s Make Some Noise, and NCVO are partnering to run the Small Charity Week match funding campaign. This seven day online campaign aims to support small charities across the UK and will bring much needed financial and training support to small charities making a big difference in their communities.
Big Give, the UK’s largest match funding charity, will be hosting the campaign on its platform. The campaign will multiply the public’s generosityby doubling donations to participating charities, with support from generous ‘Champions’, typically philanthropists, foundations, or companies. It’s a simple idea: when the public donates to a charity through Big Give, Champions match that donation. So, £50 from a member of the public becomes £100 for a good cause.