During the summer of 2018, the Trent Bridge Community Trust – quietly and, like much of its great work, under the radar – celebrated its ten-year anniversary.

Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club’s official charity has spent the decade promoting healthy recreation, providing sporting facilities, improving people’s condition of life and advancing the education of young people.

During that time, the preventative work of the Trust is believed to have saved £3 million on local services such as police, fire, ambulance, health and education.

And 2019 is set to see more landmarks with two high-profile backers already pledging their support.

Nottinghamshire and England fast-bowler Stuart Broad’s support in his testimonial year will accompany fundraising by the High Sheriff of Nottingham, who has selected the Trust as his chosen charity for the year.

Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club’s Finance and Development Director Tim Eatherington, who is also a trustee of the charity, expressed his pride in its achievements to date.

“The Trust has been responsible for investing £1.5m into community projects during the last ten years,” he said.

“This significant amount of money has been received through a multitude of partners, supporters and donors.

“There is a great responsibility to ensure that this money entrusted into the care of the Trust is put to best use and returns value for money.

“We would like to think the beneficiaries of our activities for the last decade are proof that we have succeeded in making sure that the money has been well spent.”

This invaluable work in the community currently encompasses five projects:

Positive Futures

Positive Futures provides young people in the Rushcliffe area with life-changing interventions, giving them the structure they need to enrich their lives, develop their skills and raise their aspirations.

Through Positive Futures, the Trust facilitates one-to-one mentoring support in schools to help young people address their attendance, behaviour and attainment levels and to raise their aspirations.

Holiday activities and after-school and lunchtime clubs help to enhance social skills, while sport leadership courses and accreditations are designed to boost confidence and self-esteem.

During the last decade, 650 young people have received one-to-one mentoring and 40 peer mentors have been trained through the programme.

For further information about Positive Futures in Rushcliffe, contact mark.clifford@trentbridge.co.uk.

YouNG

YouNG is an initiative that aims to prepare local youngsters for the world of work.

Those involved in the initiative are given the chance to take part in work experience placements, business presentations, talent showcases and market stalls.

If you know a young person who could benefit, or a business that might have a work placement opportunity, please contact max.emerson@trentbridge.co.uk.

Ready 4 Work

Ready 4 Work provides advice and guidance to those who are not in employment, education, or training, providing step-by-step support to help individuals back into work.

Those we have assisted to date have earned a combined £2 million in salaries.

If you know somebody who could benefit, please contact aaliyah.clifford@trentbridge.co.uk.

Healthy Hearts Project

Since late last year, the Trust has been delivering a Healthy Hearts project into primary schools in Nottinghamshire.

With James Taylor as an ambassador and Steven Mullaney and Luke Fletcher having already lent their support, these six-week courses educate young people on the need to maintain a fit and healthy lifestyle and how to look after their heart.

If you would like to find out more about getting involved with the programme, please email rebecca.jones@trentbridge.co.uk. 

Forget Me Notts

Forget Me Notts is an adult project for those with dementia and their carers, as well as those experiencing isolation and loneliness.

Monthly sessions are based at Trent Bridge with the focus on reminiscing, using sport as a vehicle.

This has been running for just over a year and membership numbers have grown to 80, with regular attendances in excess of 50 each month.

This programme was nominated for a Celebrating Rushcliffe Award in 2018 in the Health and Wellbeing category.

If you know somebody who might benefit, please contact keith.tongue@outlook.com.

Royal Foundation Coach Core Nottingham

Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club work in partnership with other leading sports clubs and initiatives in the city, including Nottingham Rugby Club, the National Ice Centre, Epic Partners, Evolve CIC, Nottingham Academy and Nottinghamshire Clubs for Young People, to form the Team Nottingham consortium.

Along with the Royal Foundation, the charity of the Dukes and Duchesses of Cambridge and Sussex, Team Nottingham delivers the ‘Coach Core’ programme to give the long-term unemployed the chance to train as community sports coaches while still in education.

Apprentices gain practical experience in their chosen sport and a professional qualification, as well as the opportunity to work on major events.

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For further information on the Trent Bridge Community Trust click here…