Your Foothold is here
Tools to support engineering minds, made possible by our members.
Foothold, the IET benevolent fund, has supported engineers and their families since 1890, and celebrated 125 years of grant making last year.
Today, the charity still stands alongside the engineering community, offering both practical help in difficult times and tools to build long-term wellbeing. As spring begins, Foothold is shining a spotlight on two areas that matter to many engineers: neurodiversity and stress.
March marks Neurodiversity Celebration Week, and Foothold invites engineers to explore its Differently Wired Hub. If you are neurodivergent, or think you might be, you may sometimes feel out of step with the expectations of study, work or everyday life. The Differently Wired Hub is a free online space where you can learn about neurodiversity, discover your unique strengths and find practical guidance to help you thrive.
Throughout the month, Foothold will also share videos from engineers, talking about their experiences with neurodivergence and offering tips and advice. Follow Foothold on social media to hear their stories and learn more about neurodiversity in engineering.
In April, Stress Awareness Month reminds us that even small steps can make a big difference towards maintaining mental health. According to Hays’ 2023 Future of Engineering survey, 89% of engineers said they experience stress from their job, while 40% said they are struggling mentally due to the demands of their role.
Foothold offers free online resources to help engineers manage stress and build resilience to cope with the challenges of life and work:
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Mental Health Check-In, a quick and confidential way to help you understand how you’re feeling and find ways to improve your mental health.
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Wellbeing Hub with clinically validated ways to improve your physical and mental health, including CBT programmes.
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Sleep support, because good sleep is a foundation for stress management.
All these tools are designed to help engineers look after themselves proactively and handle life’s pressures with confidence.
None of this support would be possible without the generosity of IET members like you. In 2024–25, thanks to your donations, Foothold was able to support 1,226 people across 47 countries. 108 people received one or more grants, each of which is a lifeline for an engineering family facing difficulty. The charity also delivered 23,002 digital health and wellbeing sessions, empowering engineers to build confidence, stability and resilience.
Foothold exists to make sure that every engineer has somewhere to turn. If you need help with finances, mental health, illness or disability, or if you simply want to take better care of your wellbeing, Foothold can help you move forward.
Get support:
Foothold’s vital work is funded by donations from the engineering community (not by membership subscriptions or government funding). If you want to donate, visit myfoothold.org/donatedirect.
Your support makes a real difference today and for generations of engineers to come.
