Projects
The support we deliver, thanks to your kind donations will affect communities all over the world. Initially while we grow, we might be able to help just a handful of small local causes, like supporting a family with a disabled child, purchasing a wheel chair for someone in need, or perhaps providing food for struggling families. As we grow (and have more donations at our disposal) our impact will increase. It's important to point out though that no matter who we help, YOU, as a donor have a vote on who that is. The more you donate, the louder your voice. Imagine what we could do with thousands of donors. Build schools, develop learning centres in developing countries, or even provide long term health support for hundreds of thousands of families all over the world. The opportunities are only limited to the donations you make.
We are still in our first year.
We deliver our first project in January 2022.
2024
Each year the foundation receives requests for help from various causes. These are emailed to the project team throughout the year. The foundation team reduce these requests down to 3 options for donors to vote on, based on the funds available, and the potential impact each project shows.
Only one project will receive support each year. It's up to the donors to place their votes and make that project possible. The option with the most vote will receive the support.
ALL THE DETAILS for each project option can be found in the 'Donor Voting' pack below.
Project Options:
1, The BigMoose Project [UK]
2, The Big Pig Project [Rwanda]
3, The SuperMentors Project [Uganda]
YOUR 2024 WINNER IS:
THE BIG MOOSE PROJECT
Votes = 36.8%
Project Overview:
BigMoose is dedicated to supporting the mental health of individuals. In 2023 according to the national centre of social research, 1 in 5 aged 8-25 had a probable mental disorder. With this in mind they have designed a
project to ring fence working with this age group, who are struggling with their mental health, by providing fast-paced, solution-focused therapy, aimed at preventing crises. Their approach emphasises early intervention and equipping young people with the tools they need to overcome challenges before they escalate. With
the help of generous funding, they aim to expand our services and reach more young individuals in need and equip them for life.
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The will encompass several key activities. First and foremost, they will offer timely and early intervention for individuals struggling with their mental health. Big Moose's unique strength lies in our minimal wait times - with a guaranteed initial response time of 24 hours, a therapist will engage with the referred individual within a week, or sometimes even sooner based on case severity. The therapists, drawn from a diverse pool, encompass specialities ranging from trauma, anxiety, depression, PTSD, bereavement, couples' counselling
and children's mental health. This wide spectrum ensures that each referral receives personalised attention tailored to their needs, as opposed to a one size fits all approach.
Who will the project help?
This project aims to help young people under the age of 25 who are struggling with their mental health.
£10,000 will help put 25 children and young people through a full course of therapy. Based on our current statistics 1 in every 21 people that engages with our therapy say that they were on the path to suicide,
which would mean that this funding provided on average would save at least 1 life.
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The project will also be helping society, as proven by the ‘Social Value Bank’ which is increasingly being used by UK Government departments, and is included in Green Book guidance, and recommendations of the
OECD and the Legatum Wellbeing Report. As part of their growth in providing support to people struggling with mental health, Big Moose have developed their own software that efficiently manages their referral system. This platform allows them to track and document the progress of referrals, enhancing the quality of care provided, as well as using the Warwick Edinburgh scoring system, measuring social value at the beginning and end of the therapy process. This data-driven approach not only enhances the understanding of
individual progress but also enables Big Moose to identify trends and make necessary adjustments.
How will the project be delivered?
Having identified referrals that come to BigMoose and fit within the parameters of age (aka youth), they are then matched with an appropriate therapist that suits their needs. The BigMoose team then monitor their progress confidentially, allowing them to present data on a monthly basis to The 196 Foundation until the therapist and client reach a point of agreement that therapy is no longer required (aka graduation). Upon graduation they will also provide the Warwick Edinburgh score and Social Value Bank data showing the return on investment from The 196 Foundation.
Big Moose Project
PROJECT LIVE UPDATES
We have committed to transparently sharing the story of donors funds from voting process, to transfer, to regulations, to implementation, failings and successes. The process of development is not linear, but each step is powerful, and important.
We will update you every chance we get and bring you into the process that goes on both here with our 196 team, but also from Kenya and the Memusi Team.
June 2024
Oct 2024
Jan 2025
Following the community vote, Big Moose was selected as this year’s project.
The focus was clear: provide free, accessible therapy to young people struggling with their mental health - removing financial barriers at the moment support is needed most. During this phase, we worked closely with the Big Moose team to allocate funding, define how the therapy programme would be delivered, and ensure support could be provided quickly and effectively.
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Words from our Founder Nick Butter:
"The Big Moose Project is rather close to my heart and has a very special connection to me. The mental health charity Big Moose is run by Jeff, Chloe and their incredible team based out of Cardiff. I first met Jeff during a rather hot and sandy race deep in the Sahara desert many years ago. It was after this race that inspired my journey to run a marathon in all 196 countries around the world. This ultimately led to The 196 Foundation being born. It is an enormous pleasure to be able to support a charity dreamed up by a man who was instrumental in changing my perspective of the world (and without him, this charity wouldn’t exist). On a personal note I am overjoyed that The Big Moose Project received the most votes. Of course all were deserving, but this one is personal. It is also our first UK based charity recieving support from The 196 Foundation."
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Big Moose also offered a few words of thanks upon hearing the news that they have been selected.
“Big Moose are absolutely delighted to have been voted as The 196 Foundations chosen charity this year. This funding will directly go towards mental health therapy, and will see people who have reached out to us go through a full course of therapy, and on average will save at least one person from suicide, an amazing outcome, so from every person this funding will help, thank you - updates to follow”.
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With funding in place, referrals began. Young people reached out - many at critical moments - and were connected with professional therapists. Every individual who contacted Big Moose received a response within 24 hours, ensuring no one was left waiting during times of need. The first group of participants began their therapy journeys, starting a process that, for many, marked the first step toward stability and recovery.
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Over the following months, the programme fully came to life.
29 young people under the age of 25 accessed therapy funded by The 196 Foundation. Through regular sessions, they were given the space, support, and tools to better understand their mental health and begin rebuilding confidence.
For some, this meant navigating deep challenges. For others, it meant finally having someone to talk to.
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As therapy progressed, the impact became clear.
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23 individuals completed their full course of therapy, leaving with new tools, confidence, and a stronger sense of self
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3 individuals continue to receive ongoing support
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3 paused their sessions, with the option to return when ready
Behind each number is a personal journey - one of resilience, support, and change.
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Beyond the individuals directly funded, Big Moose continued to support over 2,700 people across the year - helping to prevent crisis situations, reduce hospitalisation, and provide life-changing mental health support at scale.
Your contribution became part of something much bigger.
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Looking Ahead
The need for accessible mental health support continues to grow.
This project has shown how targeted funding, delivered quickly and effectively, can create real, measurable change - and most importantly, give people hope.
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Stay tuned!
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If you would like more information please email contact@the196foundation.com