Looking Ahead to 2026 🌍
We’re incredibly excited about what 2026 holds for NEU — and, more importantly, what it means for the communities we work alongside.
As we move into the new year, we’ll continue offering 1-to-1 wellbeing support for individuals who have reached out directly to Vee, providing personalised, trauma-informed support that meets people where they are. These sessions remain a vital part of our work, and in 2026 we’re aiming to expand this support into community hubs, making it easier for people to access help closer to home.
We’re also committed to strengthening our work around community reintegration. With the support of our team of lived experience specialists, we aim to help people who have been released from prison rebuild confidence, connection, and a sense of belonging within their local communities. This includes wellbeing support, positive role-modelling, and pathways into community life that reduce isolation and support long-term change.
Alongside this, we’ve had provisional conversations with members of Leicester City Football Club about working together in 2026. These early discussions focus on providing free wellbeing and coaching support for staff delivering summer holiday football courses, helping those teams feel supported, confident, and resourced while they support young people.
At NEU, we believe real change happens through relationships, consistency, and community. 2026 is about doing more of what works, reaching more people, and continuing to unite wellbeing, lived experience, and opportunity — right where it’s needed most.
Because when everybody unites, everybody thrives. 🌱
NEU at LBC Business Breakfast 🍳
We’re excited to share that NEU will be guest speakers at the LBC Business Breakfast on 14th January.
At the event, the NEU team will be talking about why wellbeing is no longer a “nice to have” for businesses, how practical, trauma-informed approaches can support staff wellbeing, and how lived experience can positively shape workplace culture, resilience, and performance. We’ll also be sharing real-world insight into how preventative wellbeing support benefits not just individuals, but organisations and the wider community.
The Business Breakfast brings together local business leaders, decision-makers, and professionals to explore ideas that support sustainable growth — and we’re proud to be contributing to that conversation by putting people and wellbeing at the centre.
You can find out more about the event and LBC here:
👉THE LCB BUSINESS BRunch – JANUARY 2026 – lcbdepot.co.uk
Stop Running From Problems
Start Running To Finish Lines
🏃🏻♂️
Rugby was my thing for a long time. I was lucky enough to play in England, Hong Kong, New Zealand, and Australia — different countries, different cultures, same reason. It gave me structure, purpose, and a way to burn off everything that was going on in my head.
But after prison, the truth hit pretty hard: my body just wasn’t up for it anymore. Father Time had very much clocked in. I was over 18 stone, carrying old injuries, and the idea of going back into contact sport just didn’t stack up. As much as I wanted rugby to still be an option, it simply wasn’t.
Doing nothing wasn’t an option either.
That’s when my cousin stepped in as he so often does and told me to start running — for my physical health yes, but also for my mental health. At the time, it sounded ridiculous. I hated running. Still do, some days. But I trusted him.
It wasn’t fast, and if I’m honest most days still aren’t. But after a bit of research, a bit of listening and lot of pride swallowing, progress has been made.
I ran my first ever half marathon in December, which felt completely mad considering where I’d started.
I’ve got the Leicester 10K coming up in March, and all of this training is ultimately building towards the Ultra Challenge North Yorks 50 in June.
Some runs are great. You feel light, strong, almost smug.
Some runs are utterly miserable — cold, heavy legs, questioning every life decision that led you there.
But every single one of them is worth it.
Running gave me something when rugby couldn’t anymore. It gave me space, routine, and a way to keep my head straight. It’s not about chasing times or pretending I’m an athlete — it’s about doing something when standing still isn’t an option
This journey isn’t really about the ultra. That’s just the destination. The real work happens on the training runs — one foot in front of the other, proving to myself that change is possible, even when the plan you thought you had no longer fits.
And honestly? That’s made all the difference.
