Foothold 2025 Wrapped
Seven highlights that made 2025 unforgettable for us
What a year! As we wrap up 2025, we want to say a huge thank you to our community. Your support and generosity helped us be there for engineers and their families all year round.
Here are seven highlights that made 2025 unforgettable for us.
A new and improved Wellbeing Hub
Our Wellbeing Hub brings together tools for physical, mental and financial health in one easy-to-use place. It’s the perfect place for you to find ways to improve your wellbeing one step at a time.
Fantastic fundraising challenges
Our supporters went above and beyond this year. A special shout-out to Jono, Kev, and their colleagues from MJ Quinn, who walked 130 miles to work during Mental Health Awareness Week. Their journey raised over £5,000 and made BBC news!
Recognised for our mental health tools
Our Mental Health Check-In tool was nominated for an ACO Award for ‘Campaign of the Year’! Though we didn’t win, we’re proud to be helping engineers take proactive steps towards better mental health.
The tool was used 1,036 times by people checking in on their mental health this year. It’s free, confidential and available 24/7.
Expanding our reach
We grew our team to help us reach more people. And we launched a TikTok channel to connect with a new generation of engineers worldwide.
Our short videos about neurodiversity in engineering have been some of our most watched. Check out engineer Mikaela’s practical ADHD tips on our TikTok.
Connecting with our community
We loved meeting IET members at events this year and hearing from our community face-to-face! As well as enjoying activities like ‘draw the perfect circle’, we had lots of meaningful conversations about issues that matter most to engineers.
Celebrating 125 years of grantmaking
October marked 125 years since Foothold made its first grant to help engineers and their families. We looked back at our history, including early donors like Tesla, Kelvin and Siemens, who supported their fellow engineers through hard times.
Bringing hope this winter
Our winter appeal is underway to support engineers and their families struggling with the costs of housing, bills and food shopping. Every donation helps make this season brighter for those who need it most.
From all of us at Foothold, thank you for being part of our 2025. We’re here to support you in 2026, no matter what it brings.
Wishing you a happy new year!
Estate planning 101: how you can secure your family’s future
What is ‘estate planning’? In collaboration with financial advisers at SecondSight, we explain the basics.
Guest blog: The engineers building a more accessible future with REMAP
In this guest blog, REMAP shares the stories of their volunteer engineers who work with disabled people to design custom-made equipment.
Worried about money? We might be able to help
A lot of us are finding it harder to make ends meet lately. Here are some things you could do right now to take control of your money.
Your stories
This money will cover all our everyday expenses until the government funding kicks in or we can start working again. I think it’s just brilliant that there is somebody giving this kind of support.Simon Gaze View story Read quote by Simon Gaze
The financial support has alleviated so many problems for us. I can’t express how much it helped - it’s enabled us to live a life.Alan Monelle View story Read quote by Alan Monelle
I feel like I have a safety net which reassures me massively. We still have stressful days, but I can manage them so much better than before.View story Read Molly’s story of getting counselling support
The way we have dealt with the last 12 months is with a positive attitude, laughter and not being afraid to ask for help.Sharon Monelle View story Read quote by Sharon Monelle