Compassion in Action: How the O'Flynn Foundation is Changing Lives in North East Lincolnshire

"This isn't about me.

The credit belongs to the people we help."

That's how Jayne O'Flynn introduces herself — and it tells you everything you need to know about the woman behind the O'Flynn Foundation.

Founded in May 2023, the O'Flynn Foundation is a grassroots charity with one clear purpose: to improve access to mental health and wellbeing support for people who need it most — and who often have nowhere else to turn.

Born from Lived Experience

The foundation didn't come from a boardroom. It came from a promise Jayne made to herself years ago, after watching a loved one suffer in silence.

"I promised myself that one day, I would do something to make a difference," Jayne says. "The O'Flynn Foundation is the realisation of that promise."

It's a deeply personal mission — but one that's now reaching people across North East Lincolnshire who are facing some of the hardest moments of their lives.

Filling the Gap

The O'Flynn Foundation provides immediate, free access to professional therapy and wellbeing support for people who can't access help elsewhere.

With NHS waiting times stretching into months — and many people not qualifying for statutory services at all — the foundation steps in with a model rooted in speed, dignity, and empathy.

"We work with Fortis Therapy and Links Inspire, funding therapy and recovery programmes for people with mental health challenges, strokes, Parkinson's, MS, and other degenerative conditions," Jayne explains. "For many, we are the last option. And we can respond within days."

That speed can be life-saving.

Jayne recalls supporting two young women who were on the brink of suicide. "Their therapy was funded within days. That intervention saved their lives. You can't put a price on that."

Who the Foundation Supports

The O'Flynn Foundation works with a broad spectrum of people — from children and teenagers impacted by post-COVID trauma, to adults living with degenerative conditions or serious mental health struggles.

One example is a woman with a severely curved spine, who receives monthly massage therapy funded by the foundation to improve her comfort and quality of life.

"We were laughing so hard in one photo I actually liked how I looked," Jayne says with a smile. "It was pure joy."

Another is a young woman with life-altering physical challenges, who receives ongoing funding for professional treatments.

"This isn't charity," Jayne says. "This is dignity. She deserves to feel good."

Reading the therapy reports from Fortis Therapy fills Jayne with pride. "These are stories of survival and self-worth being restored."

How It Works

Referrals usually come through GPs or directly from partner organisations like Fortis Therapy. Once someone is assessed, an application is submitted to the foundation.

The process is swift. The support is immediate. And the impact is often life-changing.

Funding the Work

The foundation is entirely grassroots-funded. Most of the money comes from events like the annual golf day at Laceby Manor, the International Women's Day lunch, and donations from local businesses and supporters.

"We need more support to do more," Jayne says. "We're not a quantity-led foundation — we're about quality. We fund what matters and extend help where it counts."

That quality-over-quantity approach means every person supported receives the care and attention they deserve. But it also means the foundation is always working hard to raise funds so they can help more people.

Looking for Trustees, Patrons, and

Partners

Jayne is currently looking for people and organisations who want to get involved:

• Trustees with empathy and a passion for mental health
• A Patron with strong local recognition to help raise the foundation's profile
• Businesses willing to make the foundation their charity of the year or offer annual support

"If we had just one more corporate partner, we could double the number of people we help," Jayne says.

What's Next

In 2025, Jayne hopes to:

• Support a Parkinson's group at The Trin in Cleethorpes, covering attendance costs for six months
• Launch bursaries for education to help bright young people from disadvantaged backgrounds access opportunities they might otherwise miss

It's ambitious. But then again, so was starting the foundation in the first place.

Why This Matters

At Our Future, we believe that the people who live in a town are best placed to shape its future — and that includes people like Jayne, who see a need and step up to meet it.

The O'Flynn Foundation is exactly the kind of grassroots leadership we champion. It's community-led, compassionate, and rooted in lived experience. It responds quickly, treats people with dignity, and makes a tangible difference in people's lives.

Jayne puts it simply:

"Without self-worth, we are lost. That's what this is about: giving people the support they need to remember their worth."

And in a place where so many people are quietly struggling, that work couldn't be more important.

Get Involved

If you'd like to learn more about the O'Flynn Foundation, support their work, or express interest in becoming a trustee or patron, you can visit their website or get in touch directly.

🌐 www.oflynnfoundation.org
📧 Contact the team to donate, sponsor, or find out more

Because sometimes, the most powerful change starts with one person who decides to act — and a community willing to support them.