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Foothold team

Our strategy

We have a goal to support 3000 people around the world by 2022. Here’s how we plan to do it.

Follow our progress to achieve our strategy

We believe in being open and honest with our community – that’s why we want to share our strategy and how we’re achieving things

We’ll update our objectives quarterly to show you how we’re doing.

Working on it

Ongoing action

Complete

We exist to ensure that no engineer or their family needs to face life’s challenges without support.

To increase the wellbeing of engineers and their families world wide.

I feel supported in all aspects of my life

I am comfortable asking for help

I am in the driving seat

I am supported by and support our wider community (of engineers)

Developing a system of grants based on individual circumstances growing to match minimum income standards

Implementing an annual grants programme to support people with care and disability needs

Expanding career support services to include career coaching and skills-based support

Expanding our pre-retirement offer beyond London-based workshops

Expanding our legal advice to cover our community outside the UK

Exploring emerging technologies which improve the environment for those with disability

Developing models of support for people living with dementia

Developing befriending opportunities through face to face, telephone and online support

Continuing our relationship with the National Autistic Society, Shelter and others as they become relevant

Providing information and advice on health and well-being through a variety of channels, particularly focussing on mental health and carers issues.

Utilising technology to improve the accessibility of the helpline including for our non-English speaking community and those with sensory impairments.

Developing a network of advocates able to support the community with form filing support for and at tribunals and eligibility interviews

Amplifying the voice of other organisations campaigns which positively affect our community through our digital channels.

Building a community, both on and offline, enabling peer to peer support over a wide range of health and well-being topics including careers, bereavement, being a carer.

Increasing the opportunities for volunteering through contributing to our advocacy, befriending, ambassador and fundraising roles.

Engaging with the wider benevolent fund and charitable community, leading discussions on best practise and exploring partnerships that will benefit our community.

Increasing cross-team working.

Celebrating supporters and promoting volunteering.

Listening to and acting on feedback from the community.

Developing multi-channel approaches to access our services at times appropriate for our community.

Identifying journeys to ensure appropriate and timely communications in line with best practice.

Utilising the technology to improve the accessibility of the helpline including for our non-English speaking community and those with sensory impairment.

Increasing income generation through launching active fundraising strategy.

Developing and imbedding an outcomes framework and impact reporting.

Developing an environment and sustainability policy leading to reduced waste and carbon footprint.

A photo of Gareth Price, Foothold Trustee and Honorary Treasurer. He is smiling looking at the camera.

A statement from our Honorary Treasurer Gareth Price on our financial situation

Our Trustee Gareth Price explains how the IET's decision to stop collecting donations for Foothold may affect our support for engineers.

A family consisting or a man, woman and boy sitting at a table. Representing an IET member renewing his IET membership, the man is working on a laptop, whilst the woman and boy are doing a crafting activity together.

IET no longer collecting donations for Foothold with membership renewals

Learn about important changes between Foothold and the IET, and find out how you can #DonateDirect to help us support engineers in need.

Opening up new opportunities for the engineering community with the launch of our Engineering Neurodiverse Futures programme

Our new support programme is designed to empower neurodiverse engineering professionals, students and apprentices to achieve their full potential.