Foyne Jones reveal new charity partner of the year, Balls for Brains

Coverage Briefing

Foyne Jones, leading executive recruitment agency specialising in the KBB, Builders Merchant & Home Interiors sectors is proud to partner with its Charity of the Year, Balls for Brains: working passionately to reduce the stigma that surrounds mental health through the power of team sports.

Peter Jones, Managing Director of Foyne Jones says, “I am a passionate supporter of improving mental health in the workplace, as well as a massive fan of team sports so when I discovered Balls for Brains via a post on LinkedIn, I wanted to step-up and help a local charity which is dear to my heart. The company’s mission is to empower players and clubs worldwide and give them the confidence to discuss and promote better mental wellbeing for everyone. Rightly so, they start at the grass roots which is why we want to help them to deliver their free #PackMindset workshop to all clubs in Sussex.

We are finding that optimising employee wellbeing at work is a massive trend that every business needs to take seriously this year, especially as we continue to adjust the way we live in the wake of the pandemic and Brexit, alongside technological advances and changes within the KBB industry. We may not all play rugby, but every business depends on working in a team to make things happen within a framework of mutual respect, care and support.”

Based in Eastbourne, East Sussex, Balls for Brains is the brainchild of Jon Tutty, who founded the charity after re-discovering the power of community and friendship rugby provides as he managed his own mental health issues 15 years ago. Jon says, “We all need someone to talk to and when I returned to my local rugby club after a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, Asperger’s Syndrome and non-verbal Tourette’s syndrome, everyone had my back. As people at the club began approaching me to talk about their own mental health, I saw the potential of reaching out to sports clubs as safe and supportive spaces to break the stigma surrounding mental health concerns. It’s what I call ‘the power of the pack’. Today we deliver #PackMindset to businesses and sports clubs throughout Sussex and the South of England alongside providing a 24-hour helpline and signposting individuals and families to specialist services including benefits advice, homelessness and recovery support.”

Peter adds, “I was hugely impressed by the work that Jon and his ambassadors have done for mental health and the creative approach they have taken with fundraising including a great clothing range and a clear ‘Road to Wellbeing’ strategy to assist when life feels overwhelming. We kicked off our work together by donating pre-loved sports kit so that as many people can get back into the game as possible and we have already beaten out first fundraising target by raising over £1,000 with a sponsored 5k run at Seaford in February. We are proud to help sponsor a Balls for Brains mental health first aider at rugby matches, in branded kit and is available to the public and the players on the day. Making connections through sport and the community of family, friends and colleagues is vital for good mental health, and Foyne Jones and our sister company Jones Digital are keen to lend their signature passion, energy and expertise to give Balls for Brains an even louder voice.”

Jon was recently a guest on season 5 of The Foyne Jones Show podcast series and everyone look forward to raising even more awareness of the vital work that ‘Balls for Brains’ are doing. “As a leader in business and hands-on manager, I know I need to look after myself and my people to ensure we are happy and inspired to deliver our services to an exceptional standard. As I believe in opening-up important conversations to a wider audience, I will be bearing the costs for a bespoke mental health workshop provided for Balls for Brains at our premises in Newhaven and invite my business friends and associates to come along for the experience. We must lead by example and support our hard-working teams through change without continuous personal and professional development and a commitment to openness in the workplace,” says Peter.