The Northern Monk Foundation
Aims to improve access to the outdoors for marginalised and under-resourced communities.
For too many people, access to green space isn’t a given. And it matters.
The Northern Monk Foundation aims to improve access to the outdoors for marginalised and under-resourced communities.
For too many people, access to green space isn’t a given. And it matters.
IMPROVED WELLBEING
People who spend at least 120 minutes in nature a week are significantly more likely to report good health and higher psychological wellbeing.
Natural England, 2019
HEALTH BENEFITS
An estimated 1.1 million fewer people across the UK gained health benefits from spending time in nature in 2022 compared with two years earlier.
ONS, 2023
SOCIAL INTERACTION
The number of children visiting green spaces in England has halved in a generation.
HM Government, 2011
ANXIETY REDUCTION
Every 10% increase in access to green and blue spaces was linked with a 7% reduction in risk of anxiety and depression.
NIHR / The Lancet Planetary Health, 2023
The Northern Monk Foundation will partner with local organisations to fund trips, equipment and opportunities that help people experience the benefits of time spent outside.
Northern Monk has already donated £150,000 to community causes through previous initiatives and charitable work. Our ambition is to donate £250,000 by 2028 through the work of the Northern Monk Foundation.
FOUNDATION PROJECTS
CURRENT PROJECT
RESTORING HARDKNOTT FOREST X HOLBECK TOGETHER
The Restoring Hardknott Forest Project is a partnership between Forestry England and the University of Leeds. It combines practical conservation, informed by research and monitoring, to create and restore 630 hectares of native woodland and other wildlife rich habitats.
OUR FUNDRAISING
The Northern Monk Foundation raises funds through direct webshop donations, and sales of the Faith in Futures / Northern Monk Foundation beers that you’ll find in supermarkets and on our online shop.
We donate £1 from the sales of all Northern Monk merchandise, and in our venues, proceeds from all glassware sales are donated to the Foundation.
We also host one-off fundraising events at different points throughout the year.
OUR HISTORY
Northern Monk’s impact work started life in 2019 as the For the North foundation, a grant scheme that offered £5,000 to community focused charities, causes and support groups.
In 2021, the For the North Foundation evolved into the Faith in Futures Foundation. We removed the geographical border previously applied to our giving, with the £5,000 grants donated to causes and charities who needed funds at a particular time.
In 2024, we became long term partners of Holbeck Together, Restoring Hardknott Forest and Pyramid.
By becoming long-term supporters of these three groups, we were able to deepen our impact, support specific projects and goals, and maximise the contributions made through the Foundation.
After donating £150,000 to more than 20 community causes, in 2026 the change to the Northern Monk Foundation will bring our brand, mission and impact work together as one.