Team Nottingham, a charitable scheme spanning Nottingham’s sporting clubs aiming to tackle childhood obesity in the county, could seal £50,000 of lottery funding today.

The Trent Bridge Community Trust, working in partnership with Notts County’s Football in the Community, Nottingham Forest in the Community, Nottingham Rugby, Nottingham Ice Centre and Beeston Hockey Club, will work together to tackle the rise in childhood obesity and sporting inactivity across Nottingham.

To seal the funding, Team Nottingham will be part of a public vote orchestrated by ITV’s People’s Millions at 6.30pm today.

Vote Team Nottingham now: 09015 228219 (Landline) / 6228219 (Mobile)

Voting is now open, and will close at midnight tonight. A total of ten votes per phone number are allowed per person.

Positive Futures, the Trent Bridge Community Trust’s headline scheme, have been working to combat social exclusion in Cotgrave and the Rushcliffe area since 2008.

As well as tackling and preventing antisocial behaviour, the team also offers support for young people in a range of other ways, including personal, nutritional and educational help if needed. 

One young person who has personally benefitted from the help of Positive Futures is Cotgrave resident Deana Williams, who received support to lose weight after being the victim of schoolyard bullying.

“Through my childhood, I had always been a bigger girl than some of the others, but secondary school bullying made me feel awful about my size,” she said. 

“I found myself comfort eating, it would be as much as three packs of crisps, and four chocolate bars each day, on top of my meals.

“I’m not there yet, but if I carry on striving, I’ll reach my goals soon.” - Deana Williams.

“At its worst, I weighed 14 stone 7 at the age of 15. It really made me determined to lose weight. 

“I realised that I had to do something to improve my health, or I would do serious damage to my body.”

This was March 2013. Already working with Positive Futures, Project Coordinator Mark Clifford was able to help Deana to achieve her goals.

Through partnership with Parkwood Leisure Centre in Cotgrave, Positive Futures were able to schedule regular gym sessions, as well as offering nutritional advice and motivation. 

“Deana has been part of Positive Futures since the summer of 2011,” said Mark.

“She was a lost soul. There weren’t problems in terms of antisocial behaviour, but she wanted to spend her time doing positive things.

“We were aware of how delicate a situation her weight was, as it is with all girls, but we have female members of staff on hand to help, and give them someone they can feel comfortable talking to.

“We offer nutritional plans for all of the young people that we work with. We really try and encourage them to think about what they’re eating, and be healthy.”

Approaching a year after Positive Futures began to help Deana to lose weight, she has undergone something of a transformation. An exercise programme of cardiovascular sessions, as well as a changed diet has seen her weight drop quickly, with her target in sight.

“Since then, I have gone on to lose four stone, and am now only seven pounds away from my target of weighing ten stone,” said Deana.

“I would never have made the progress I did without Positive Futures in Rushcliffe, they have supported me on every aspect of my journey. 

“The gym sessions were excellent, but thanks to their advice I changed my diet completely.

“I’m not there yet, but if I carry on striving, I’ll reach my goals soon.” 

“Working so well with Parkwood Leisure Centre and other services in the area give us the best chance to help people in this way,” added Mark.

“It’s an important aspect of what we do, and we’re getting results.

“It’s great to see the transformation in one of our young people. It’s nice to see that the work we do plays a part, offers her the vehicle to improve her life.” 


Call 09015 228219 (landlines) or 628219 (mobiles) to vote for Team Nottingham's scheme. Phone lines close at midnight. For more information visit ITV People's Millions.

Calls cost 15p via BT landlines & mobile networks. Other networks may vary.