Dear Newmarket residents,
I am delighted to be able to report on the progress we have made since Newmarket Charitable Foundation (NCF) was created in 2021, as well as tell you what we are doing, what we plan to do and how YOU can be involved.
Although the titles of our three pillars that govern what we do may have changed, our focuses remain in these three areas:
1. Community;
2. Town infrastructure and
3. Young People
The Newmarket Charitable Foundation (NCF) has proven it can be a catalyst for true, sustainable, transformation across Newmarket. We are proud to be an ‘enabling’ and ‘doing’ organisation and a trusted facilitator for the community, working alongside partners and existing initiatives to create a thriving town with great opportunities for all
Weekend Pony Academy
NCF enhanced the work of Newmarket Pony Academy (NPA), which is hosted at and run by the British Racing School. Partnership working brought together funding from Newmarket Equine Hospital, Rossdales and NCF to create the Weekend Pony Academy.
The impacts of this have been profound including preventing at least one young person from being removed from mainstream education.
Investing in Town Infrastructure
In April 2024, NCF proudly opened Newmarket’s first cinema in almost 50 years, breathing new life into the local theatre. The cinema screens the latest releases, classic favourites, and live broadcasts, offering a vibrant cultural hub for our community.
Empowering Our Community
NCF has continued its longstanding tradition of providing grants to local organisations, directly impacting the lives of Newmarket residents. Over £50,000 in grants have been awarded, addressing cost-of-living challenges, supporting young people’s access to sports and wellbeing, and enabling community groups to offer enriching programs and activities. Including grants to local primary schools, sports groups and cost -of-living support.
We have continued to hold community events to raise funds and provide a chance to bring people of Newmarket together. From Fun Run events to The Sportsman Dinner featuring Geoff Hurst, our calendar of events has attracted hundreds of people to be involved.
The NCF’s Board of Trustees include:
Sarah Howard Chair, British Chamber of Commerce
Rachel Flynn Partner, Keystone Law
James Crowhurst Newmarket Equine Hospital
Kevin Hancock Director of Yutree Insurance
Laraine Moody Vice Principal Strategic Growth & Partnerships West Suffolk College
Nick Patton Managing Director, Jockey Club Estates
Dr David Hall Chief Executive, The Ideas Centre
Joining Newmarket Charitable Foundation in October 2023 has been an immense privilege. Opening the cinema was the first of many lasting changes I hope to make to help Newmarket be a great place to live, work and visit. I look forward to working with people in Newmarket to deliver our next set of projects and would welcome anybody hoping to be involved.
Josh Schunmann,
Executive Director Newmarket Charitable Foundation
Creating a thriving Newmarket for the whole community
Shaping an Exciting Future
Following extensive research and engagement, NCF launched a report in May 2024 aimed at enhancing Newmarket’s economic, cultural, and historical landscape.
This research was carried out and delivered in partnership with Metro Dynamics, who have worked with government and local authorities to significant acclaim and success.
This comprehensive initiative brought together local authorities and stakeholders to devise strategic interventions that will create jobs, attract events, and bolster the town’s growth. These interventions include – Royal Status for Newmarket, Festivals and Events, Whole Town Historic and Cultural Trails and Curation, Pop-Up Shops, Market Investment and Improvements, Ping Pong Parlour, Education and Skills Campus – Sixth Form College, Higher Education Facility and other ideas for us to consider and explore.
Supporting Youth Development
In 2023 NCF held a Careers Fair and has engaged with every secondary school student at Newmarket Academy, providing access to local businesses and organisations to explore career options, gain firsthand experiences, and make informed decisions. We look forward to holding this again this year and we continue to explore how we can further develop connections with young people and career opportunities.
Providing an outside gym
Providing an Outside Gym NCF has obtained funding for an Outside Gym. Working with Newmarket Town Council we are finalising the find the best location to install an Outside Gym. We want to ensure everyone has free access to facilities which encourage healthy lifestyles and fitness.
Knowing that active life choices can significantly improve your physical and mental health, NCF is working with Abbeycroft, West Suffolk Council and The Jockey Club to look at how we can increase the amount of usable open space and access to community and sports facilities.
Newmarket Charitable Foundation aims to support a range of truly transformative projects that will help improve the town for the benefit of the whole community - A town centre research strategy and Young People evaluation project have both created a number of initiatives…
Filling Our Empty Shops
NCF is working with landlords to fill some of the empty shops on our High Street and in the town centre. We are hoping to make a pop-up shop unit available for local entrepreneurs to trial being in a High Street unit without long term commitments. This will help create businesses of the future that will permanently occupy our commercial spaces. Recognising that many people work differently, NCF is exploring creating a shared working space.
This space in our High Street will offer home working facilities, start-up business support and create a new centre which will also bring professionals to our Town Centre.
A Ping Pong Parlour is another example of what NCF is working on bringing to Newmarket. This sporting offer will create a buzz in the heart of the retail area while encouraging people to get fit and stay active – and hopefully have some fun!
Investing in Our Future: Youth Initiatives
In partnership with 4YP, an organisation specialising in youth provisions throughout Suffolk, NCF is conducting an evaluation project to identify the specific needs and opportunities for young people in Newmarket.
Drawing upon the findings of the evaluation project and the success of past initiatives, NCF will implement targeted programs and initiatives to ensure that young people in Newmarket have the support they need to reach their full potential.
