Click on each link to read about each Nottingham Forest ambassador. Discover how they got to where they are today, the skills they use and the most exciting things about their jobs. Schools in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire can book our Ambassadors to hear this first hand.
EDI Manager, Nottingham Forest Community Trust
How I got here
After studying at secondary school to complete my GCSEs, I went onto sixth form college to study A levels. I took a year off in 2001 to work as a Health Care Assistant at a local hospital, working with children and young adults living with disabilities.
I started my degree at Nottingham Trent University in 2002 and left with qualifications in English and Social Theory in 2005. In 2014, after running several volunteer events, I began a temporary role as the Equality and Diversity Events Co-ordinator, a role which became permanent in 2015. Between 2014-2017, I ran over one hundred events covering a range of different topics and communities.
My role was made redundant at the end of 2017, and I began a new role as a support assistant whilst retraining as Mental Health First Aid training instructor which I qualified for in 2019, whilst also taking part in a programme called Ingenuity 19. I was successful in getting through to the final 40 people from over 700 applicants and secured funding to start my business.
In 2020, I became self-employed and ran my business The Anxiety Map Programme. I also began working alongside Nottingham Forest Community Trust to deliver their mental health programme, Tricky to Talk. In 2022, I began a new role at Nottingham Forest Community Trust as the Wellbeing and Inclusion Manager whilst also running my business.
The skills I use
Strategy planning
Problem solving
Communicating internally and externally with colleagues, network partners and participants
The exciting stuff
I enjoy creating a programme that works to support a wide range of people. I enjoy working with my colleagues to support our local community and seeing the impact our work creates.
Career tips for young people
Allow yourself to make mistakes, know that the steps you take may take you sideways, backwards, forwards, but it is all part of the journey.
Follow your interests and know that there are many paths, explore what is available to you. Most importantly, believe in yourself.
Ask me about
Opportunities to study, career development, achieving goals and wellbeing.
Finance and Administration Manager, Nottingham Forest Community Trust
How I got here
I joined Nottingham Forest Community Trust as a Receptionist in 2018 after having different administration jobs in other businesses. I left school aged 16 following my GCSEs. As my results were not the best I decided to return to part-time education to study A Levels a few years later. I am now the Senior Finance and Administration Co-Ordinator for the Trust. When I was a teenager, I worked in a hairdressers and a food factory.
The skills I use
The exciting stuff
I love my job because football is such an exciting environment to work within. My role is varied and very busy so I’m never bored. I thoroughly enjoy working within a great team which offers many programmes to the local community which both benefits and inspires them. I also have an insight into what happens behind the scenes and it is great to see how programmes develop from ideas to delivery.
Career tips for young people
Ask me about
Anything about my career. Finance and administration. Working within a community trust.
Mentoring Manager, Nottingham Forest Community Trust
How I got here.
After finishing school and taking GCSE’s I did a two-year apprenticeship at Derby County Community Trust. As an apprentice I gained football and personal development qualifications. This included my Football Association and Youth Module coaching badges as well as my Activity Leadership and Sports Development qualifications. I was then a full-time member of staff there for four years.
I joined Nottingham Forest Community Trust in August 2019 and I have worked on many programmes for them. From the start of 2022 I led on the Think Big programme, delivering educational assemblies and workshops to secondary school students in Nottinghamshire.
I now work as the trust’s Mentoring Manager, supporting young people and adults across Nottinghamshire to offer life experiences and further opportunities to develop a new skill set and promote positive changes through sport and educational qualifications.
The skills I use
The exciting stuff
I enjoy my role as I get to build relationships with lots of individuals. It gives me freedom to meet many different people every day from different backgrounds and enjoy having the opportunity to support individuals to develop their futures and make a positive change.
Career tips for young people
Ask me about
Anything about my career. Apprenticeship and employment routes, football/PE coaching, delivering training and tech.
CEO, Nottingham Forest Community Trust
How I got here
Growing up all I ever wanted to be was a professional football player. I left school at 16 and signed a contract with Notts County Football Club to be a professional footballer. Unfortunately a serious injury ended my professional ambitions at 19. I continued my journey in sport and gained a degree in sports science and some professional qualifications. I worked in several jobs before returning to my boyhood club – Nottingham Forest.
The skills I use
The exciting stuff
Growing up I loved Nottingham Forest, so to be in and around the club that I support makes me feel proud and lucky. My job enables me to work with many different people from many different communities, which can be humbling and inspiring.
Career tips for young people
Ask me about
My career. Football, adversity and challenge, leadership, management, building confidence, having a plan, being you.
Finance and Operations Coordinator, Nottingham Forest Community Trust
How I got here.
I was permanently excluded from secondary school in Year 7. I was rebelling as my parents got divorced and I was struggling with this and with school. I got back into mainstream school in Year 9 and I was able to settle down and achieve my GSCE’s. I joined a BTEC level 3 Diploma in Extended Sport at Nottingham Forest Community Trust and now after a few different job roles within the organisation I have worked myself up to the Finance and Administration Coordinator for the Trust.
The skills I use
The exciting stuff
You might think that finance and dealing with numbers is boring. I don’t think so! I love my job as this allows me to maximise my skills. Working in finance is not just adding numbers up, it is communicating with different people, building relationships with partners and using tech software to help manage and monitor the Trusts finances. I think working for the charity arm of the football club I have supported since I was a little boy is the best thing! Being part of a team with our ethos of togetherness, community and helping others to Think Big and change their lives makes my job amazing.
Career tips for young people
Ask me about
Anything about my career. Being permanently excluded, experiences with parents who got divorced, maximising your skills, tech in finance and working for Nottingham Forest Community Trust.
Head of Education, Training & Employment, Nottingham Forest Community Trust
How I got here
I joined Nottingham Forest Community Trust in 2021 after working in logistics and then education. I started working in logistics in the brewing industry when I was 16. I quickly progressed into management roles. At 35 I went to college and university as I wanted to change my career and become a teacher. I became a teacher and I was teaching up to 2020. I now use my experiences in my role as Head of Education, Training & Employment.
The skills I use
The exciting stuff
I am lucky to have my dream job! I am passionate about education, and I have been a Forest fan for over 40 years. I get to visit schools and colleges to talk about the positive things we do for our communities. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than seeing our students make progress or gain employment.
Career tips for young people
Ask me about
Anything about my career. Education, training and employment pathways. How to get into education or sports & leisure industry. What employers look for when recruiting and how to make yourself stand out from other applicants.
Think Big Coordinator, Nottingham Forest Community Trust
How I got here
I joined Nottingham Forest Community Trust as a student in 2015 after leaving school to study a BTEC Level 3 in sport and exercise During this time I spent many hours volunteering in the community. When I turned 17, I worked at JD Sports which taught me different ways of communicating with people and showing positive customer service, which has supported me to get where I am today.
I wanted to pursue a career in sport so after college I went on graduate from university with a degree in community football coaching, Business, Development and Administration. Following on from this I started working at Nottingham Forest Community Trust as a Coach and Coordinating Community Engagement programmes before taking on the role as Think Big Coordinator.
The skills I use
My job relies on me having to keep close relationships with different organisations and schools.
I have to use different communication skills in person, over the phone and digitally to do my job.
I have good people skills.
I have good team working skills.
The exciting stuff
The best thing about my job is being able to give young people the opportunity to take part in fun and engaging workshops which they may never engage with.
I really enjoy this job because not only does it have the administration side to it but being able to visit different schools and colleges to deliver workshops and assembly’s make my job differ from day to day.
Career tips for young people
Ask me about
Anything about my career, opening door to opportunities in sports, education opportunities without having to sit exams and apprenticeships.
Schools Manager, Nottingham Forest Community Trust
How I got here.
I joined Nottingham Forest Community Trust in 2019 after working at an inner-city primary school for 9 years. I have a diploma in sports and exercise science, a degree in sport and coaching, a Level 3 teaching assistant and a Level 2 youth work qualification. I’ve worked on the Premier League Primary Stars programme and the Premier League Kicks programme. I work on the Premier League Primary Starts programme now.
The skills I use
The exciting stuff
I am passionate about my job and enjoy all the different people I get to meet every day; it’s always different and never boring. It’s a privilege to work for the football club I grew up supporting and use the power of football and the NFFC badge to make a positive difference across communities in the city and county.
Career tips for young people
Ask me about
Anything about my career, primary education in sport and PE, how to use tech to help promote programmes, how to network/build relationships with organisations and people.
