ANNUAL REPORT 2024
USING THE POWER OF DERBY COUNTY FOOTBALL CLUB TO IMPROVE LIVES AND COMMUNITIES THROUGH SPORT, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, HEALTH AND EDUCATION
WELCOME WELCOME
Hello and welcome to the Derby County Community Trust Annual Report for 2024.
It was a huge honour for me to be appointed Chair of this brilliant organisation in June, replacing the outgoing Chair Nick Britten who remains a huge advocate of all things DCCT, and to whom we wish all the best in his new ventures. In my previous role as CEO of the EFL Trust I spent 15 years overseeing the network of charities across the English Football League and throughout that time the work of DCCT has always been held in the highest regard.
A key part of my role was to identify best practise across the 72 clubs and share that learning and innovation so that we could grow the impact of football as a whole in developing communities across the country. Derby County always led that agenda and I am sure that as supporters, partners or whatever your connection is to the club and Community Trust, like me you will enjoy this report and be blown away by the sheer breadth of work that DCCT delivers to improve lives in Derby and Derbyshire.
One of my first roles as Chair was to oversee a transition at the top of our organisation. After 22 years Simon Carnall has moved on from his role of Head of Community to take on the new role of Chief Operating Officer at the football club. In terms of transfer news this is the ultimate ‘win-win’ situation with the Derby County family retaining the skills of one of the most respected figures in the industry into club, whilst the Community Trust knows that Si is just across the road for advice and support. At the same time, it has allowed Paul Newman, Si’s long-time deputy, to step into the Head of Community role in a seamless transition. I am sure you will join me in wishing Si and Paul all the best in these new roles as we look forward to carrying on our groundbreaking work in 2025.
Mike evans Chair of Trustees
JANUARY
EFL Kids Cup
At the start of the year we hosted the EFL Kids Cup at Moor farm with Cavendish Close Junior Academy going all the way to lift the trophy.
Silverware for our FTP and F&E Girls MAY
We finished the season on a high with silverware from our Female Talent Pathway U18’s and U20’s and our Football and Education women’s side.
SEPTEMBER
Annual Awards Evening 2024
Our annual awards evening was back and celebrated standout participants, volunteers and staff members who embody our core values.
FEBRUARY
Pride Park Pride
We launched our Pride Park Pride project that aimed to bring the LGBTQ+ community together and provide them with a safe space to enjoy football.
JUNE
Refugee Football Tournament
As part of Refugee Week 2024 we worked with partner organisations to co-host a tournament featuring 12 teams made up of asylum seekers and refugees living in Derbyshire and Leicestershire.
OCTOBER
A NIGHT WITH THE LADS
On World Mental Health Day, we hosted ‘A Night with the Lads’ welcoming 60+ males and their families to Pride Park, to encourage conversations around mental health.
MARCH
Iftar
We held our first ever Iftar event which saw over 200 attendees break their fast alongside an evening of prayer at Pride Park.
JULY
Women’s Health Endometriosis
We launched the endometriosis part of our Women’s Health programme, creating a safe space for women to come together and feel heard.
NOVEMBER
EFL Week of Action
Derby County Head Coach Paul Warne invited our DS Active squad down to Moor Farm to watch the Rams in training.
APRIL
Premier League Kicks Regional Tournament
April saw us host the East Midlands’ Premier League Kicks Cup at Moor Farm Training Centre.
AUGUST
HOLIDAy COACHING
We welcomed 80+ children and young people per day to our Holiday Coaching provision over the summer holidays.
DECEMBER
Ukrainian Christmas Meal
We hosted a Ukrainian Christmas Meal for the 3rd year running as part of our Community Meals programme.
SUPPORTING GOOD health and wellbeing
Supporting good health and wellbeing is paramount to our delivery and runs throughout all of our Our programmes span across the full life course right from aged two to one hundred meaning that participants from every walk of life.
Our delivery starts with our youngest participants at Rammie’s Little Dribblers, which this year has week, the opportunity to take their first kicks. Our Active Schools programme has supported over our child’s mental health programme supported 15 young people to manage their psychological wellbeing. strand has further developed this year with workshops, assemblies and book ‘Rammie’s Toothy Tale’ to look after their teeth.
Our Health Team are always looking to develop our offering to communities and this year was no new strand to our Women’s Health programme, focused on Endometriosis. Designed to support anyone or suspected endometriosis, the new programme has seen 45+ women benefit from informative experiences.
I’m feeling much happier, for the first time in 9 years, I am starting to feel like me again. Thanks for giving me hope and the information to make such a difference to my health. health participant
Our flagship male mental health sessions regularly. In October 2024, Assistant Coach Richie Barker and Providing activity to those experiencing from our Cardiac Rehab project Pain Management programme in benefitted from the sessions within
Moving through the life course, part in EFL Extra Time Hub, Walking physical activity but also help to men attended ’night with the lads’ on 60 60
our projects and programmes. that we encounter and support
has given 10 participants per over 3,000 children in 2024, and wellbeing. Our oral hygiene Tale’ encouraging 2,000 children
no different. We launched a anyone with endometriosis workshops and shared
Even though my surgeon and the surgery saved my life, I feel like the rehab and working with Jon and Morgan has given me my confidence back and I have noticed an improvement in my fitness for sure.
Cardiac Rehab participant
health programme, Team Talk, continued to support male mental health, with 30 men attending 2024, on World Mental Health Day 60 people attended a re-launch of the programme attended by and ex-Rams Captain Jake Buxton.
experiencing health inequalities remains a high priority. This year, the number of people benefitting has significantly increased with over 200 active clients. In September, we launched our Chronic in partnership with Greater Derby PCN and Derby City PCN, 65 participants have already within the Greater Derby area.
we continue to provide activity for the older members of our community. 184 people have taken Walking Football and Forever Active sessions across the year. These sessions not only promote to build strong friendships too. active cardiac rehab clients 200 200 women supported through our new endometriosis programme 45 45 wmhd
live it/active schools
Over the past year, our Live IT and Active Schools programme has grown significantly. The programme helps to support more children and young people live healthier, more active lives and works with some of the most vulnerable families in the city. 68% of the children on the programme this year were from the most deprived areas of Derby. 41% of participants are classed as severely obese and 25% of children on the programme have or are waiting on a SEN or disability diagnosis. This year we worked with over 3,000 children across Active Schools programme and 300 families through Live It.
The outcomes have been amazing, 70% of children lost or maintained weight and 98% reported an improvement in emotional health and wellbeing.
We work with parents so that they have the tools that they need to make healthier lifestyle choices for the whole family. Whether that’s developing their skills in the kitchen, cooking on a budget or finding ways to more physically active.
This year, our team has developed an oral health programme which has been particularly valued by schools. Through engaging assemblies and workshops, we have supported over 2,000 children with looking after teeth.
I am more confident with people and more social... maybe more fit and healthier too. I am glad I joined. I think anyone like me should join them too. If they struggle to make friends, they can help you here. Oliver, Live It participant
helps most deprived programme our the get schools. their
children engaged 3,600 3,600 of children lost or maintained weight 70% 70% increase in referrals 66% 66%
schools and coaching
SCHOOLS EVENTS CALENDAR
Across the 2023-24 academic year, our schools’ events provided over 14,500 students with a positive experience of sports competition. Our Schools Events Calendar engaged 65 primary schools and 16 secondary schools from across the city, creating a community and allowing us to reach a wide range of pupils. The events that are delivered as part of the calendar target students from Year 1 all the way through Year 11.
Aiming to ensure that students attend events based on their own motivations, the events are delivered through 4 strands: Achieve, Inspire, PLUS and Connect. The connect strand was introduced as part of the 2023-2024 offer and focuses on developing interpersonal skills through sport. This year, over 275 students benefitted from team building festivals which developed problem solving and communication skills.
In 2024, our hugely popular Celebration of Dance moved to Derby Theatre and welcomed 736 students from 35 schools to perform on a professional stage. Our new swimming gala, held at Moorways Sports Village welcomed 158 students from 9 schools. The event specifically targeted students who enjoyed swimming school but had not yet progressed to club swimming.
schools engaged
81 events took place 170+ 170+ more students than last year 16%+ 16%+
Thank you for making such a lot of effort as I don’t know if you truly realise, just how much these mean to the children. You are inspiring the next generation of children to enjoy a variety of sports by running a range of competitions targeted at differentiated abilities.
Mrs Albinson, Homefields Primary School
developing MORE ACTIVE COMMUNITIES
Communities are at the heart of what we do. As our mission statement reads, improving the communities participants live, is fundamental to what we deliver as a charity.
Schools are vital parts of our communities, and through partnerships with local schools we strengthen individuals and families.
The 2023/24 academic year saw our schools’ events offer operate across a four-strand system; achieve, new for this academic year connect. The connect strand aims to support young people to develop sport and physical activity. Across the academic year 250 pupils were supported to build confidence, relationships with their peers. The 170+ events that took place across the year supported 14,500 and enjoy physical activity and sport.
To support our work within schools, we undertake important work to support the development of that physical activity is built into the school day. This year, we supported nearly 500 teachers to increase of PE and share their knowledge at networking events throughout the year.
Our out of school offer continues Coaching sessions expanding across the county and now per day, fun football sessions Additionally, our popular weekly Weekend Club continue to children, who may otherwise sport. Our established Talent welcomed talented children footballing experience outside
Our inclusion team work tirelessly opportunities for all, through running disability projects support disabilities and/or additional impairment specific football. 118 participants across these year include our DS Active the Derby County FC first team Action.
COMMUNITIES
communities in which our strengthen bonds between achieve, inspire, PLUS and develop their social skills using confidence, self esteem and new students to take part in
of school staff, to ensure increase their knowledge
weekly attendees at wellbeing for all sessions 257 students engaged in school events 14,500 affiliated 257 14,500
continues to thrive with our Holiday expanding to take place across 3 venues now providing up to 100 children sessions during every school holiday. weekly After School Clubs and engage thousands of primary aged otherwise face barriers to participation in Talent Identification Programme (TIPs) children who wanted a more competitive outside of school.
tirelessly to ensure that we provide through our disability offer. Our longsupport individuals with physical additional needs through pan disability or football. This year we have worked with these programmes. Highlights of the squad being invited to train with team squad as part of EFL Week of
DS ACTIVE
DS Active is a specific impairment football programme, which engages participants who have Downs Syndrome. We have a squad of 13 players, which all vary in gender and age, with our oldest participant being 53 years old and playing alongside our youngest at 12 years old.
Our aim is to provide inclusive and engaging experiences, whilst building on social interactions and forming new friendships. We do this through attending different events, our most recent event was the DCCT Black and White ball which provided to some of our participants an opportunity to interact with local businesses along with senior members of the football club and to share an insight of the love they have for the programme.
Our current participants have played together for many years and connect with other clubs through the nationwide DS Active network. This year we have delivered 34 sessions and participated in fixtures against Burton Joyce and Lincoln City. We also have an exciting trip planned in 2025 to play a friendly fixture against Bristol City DS Active.
This programme goes beyond the love of football, it provides an inclusive environment to grow, learn and build upon confidence in a safe space.
sessions took place 34 34
weekly participants 13 13 age range of participants 12-53 12-53
Mike proves it is never too late to start your football career - in his 50’s the joy he gets from playing is a constant topic of conversation. He has made new friends and loves the opportunity to play against other teams. DS Active is such an important part of his life.
PARENT
racecourse venue
2024 saw the Education department move into the new 12m state-of-the-art Racecourse Hub in Derby. This has seen the department deliver level 1, 2 and 3 education programmes for students alongside playing football for Derby County. Pupils benefit from outdoor full size 3G pitches and newly refurbished classrooms. Hosting courses at the new venue means that the department has been able to reach new students from schools within Derby City Centre. The Hub hosts over 50 students who are carrying out their qualifications alongside their training and has also led to a number of students gaining paid employment at the facility.
In addition to this, children from local primary schools regularly visit the facility to be coached by DCCT students, providing fun PE lessons and valuable work experience for the college students creating a positive education environment for everyone involved.
The departments use of the facility doesn’t stop at delivering our educational courses. November saw us, alongside the FA and The Premier League, welcome over 200+ girls from our Female Talent Pathway squads and Emerging Talent Centres for a football festival. The event gave the girls opportunity to play football in new formats, with the aim of increasing touches on the ball and developing spatial awareness.
The Racecourse is a great place to study alongside football. The facility is a great place to come and the staff are really friendly.
FE Level 3 Sports Student
optimising life chances
Derbyshire is a diverse county, and while our work aims to improve the lives and communities of significant inequalities in certain areas. Many of our projects directly address these disparities, opportunities for everyone.
Leveraging the Derby County brand, we use football as a tool for encouraging young people to learn. Primary Stars project has inspired over 1,400 primary school pupils to be active, learn, and develop Premier League (PL), our inclusion teams also deliver the PL Kicks and PL Inspires programmes. running for over 10 years, offers free sports activities for 8–19-year-olds, breaking down barriers accessible sessions. This year, we engaged over 1,100 young people in safe environments. The PL has empowered nearly 20 cohorts of students across 12 schools, helping them develop social, personal, skills. This year, participants focused on wellbeing and mental health during the Premier League
Our NCS Community Mix programme, introduced this year, welcomed 92 participants to develop independent living, and build lasting friendships. The programme was awarded the Level 2 Skills The Skills Builder Partnership.
During my time on the degree programme I got multiple opportunities to with the FTP. During this I learnt valuable real-world experience, that I would in a way that I woulD have only got through Degree programme
Our education department academic opportunities alongside of our first academic year at September 2024.
Our team works to help participants example is our Active Choices year, over 250 clients from routine, and positive lifestyle
clients supported substance misuse programme 250+ 250+
of all, we recognize ensuring we provide
learn. Our Premier League develop life skills. Funded by the programmes. The PL Kicks programme, by providing local, PL Inspires programme personal, and employability Inspires Challenge. life skills, learn about Builder accreditation by
to volunteer within the Trust across all departments, such as helping would not have got elsewhere. This helped me be ready to start my career
through the DCCT Degree Programme. programme graduate 2024
supported over 220 learners at post-16 and degree levels in 2024, offering a wide range of alongside high-level football coaching across eight venues. Summer 2024 marked the completion at Derby Moor Spencer Academy, with a new venue, Leesbrook Academy, introduced in participants through challenging life events, aiming to positively influence their prospects. A key Choices programme, which supports clients recovering from alcohol and substance misuse. This Derby and Derbyshire have benefited from the programme, helping them implement structure, lifestyle changes through increased physical activity.
young people supported by premier league funded programmes 2,700+ students graduated from our degree programmes 8 by our programme 2,700+ 8
the derby 10k
The Derby 10K has been taking place for 24 years and is one of our flagship fundraising events as well as largest mass participation running event in Derby City. Following the pandemic, we have been able to ensure that the event not only survived the pandemic but is now in a growth phase. 2024 was a hugely successful year seeing the event attract sponsorship worth £17,000 and entry income of £89,000 which resulted in approximately £20,000 unrestricted profit for the Trust. The Fun Run that runs parallel to the 10k welcomed 372 runners, giving children the opportunity to get involved.
Not only does the event generate significant amounts for our unrestricted funds, year on year, it is also used as a fundraising platform for other charities. 29 other charities were supported by runners entering the 10K in 2024. The 10k has also enabled a number of long-standing partnerships to be formed and has opened volunteer opportunities for local people. The event is organised locally, sponsored by local businesses, gives local charities opportunities to grow and raises important funds that are invested locally. It’s impact on Derby is huge.
The Derby 10k is really well organised event, with the added benefit of it being a flat and fast course with great crowds, particularly around Pride Park and the City centre.
2024 runner
as the ensure successful welcomed used 10K up gives Derby years of the derby 10k 24 24
reverse advent calendar
Christmas 2024 saw us renew our partnership with Derby Food 4 Thought Alliance to support them with Reverse Advent Calendar campaign. The reverse advent calendar encourages businesses and supporters flip advent on its head and instead of receiving a gift each day, donate something towards creating a food parcel. Thanks to generous donations from the people of Derby and Derbyshire, we collected 350 full food parcels as part of the campaign. These donations will be distributed to those who are facing insecurity over the winter months.
derby city inclusion partnership
Inclusion Partnership is a collaboration of organisations, led by Derby County Community Trust, working together to support vulnerable children in Derby schools. This year we celebrated over 100 schools signing Inclusion Charter, pledging to commit to five key principles of an inclusive school. We delivered our annual Inclusion Conference, attended by over 300 delegates, to share solutions and approaches to support children and young people.
building community pride
Our primary goal is to build communities people take pride in and actively engage in by taking part identify areas of need and develop provisions that fill the gaps in these communities.
The launch of Pride Park Pride, a football programme for the LGBTQ+ community, provided a safe participation, with 16 regular participants in its first year. Our female football pathway continues with 62 players progressing from our Emerging Talent Centres to the Female Talent Pathway, receiving to support their ambitions of playing for Derby County Women.
Harrison’s Hub at Pride Park Stadium has enabled us to deliver more regular activities in a well-known to Team Talk, Women’s Health programmes, Extra Time Hub, Knit and Natter, Community Meals, support from local businesses, we served over 900 meals through our Community Meals initiative.
Our matchday experiences create lasting memories, with 119 children enjoying the Rammie’s Special during the 2023/24 season. Our sensory rooms at Pride Park Stadium also provided 31 families with additional sensory needs the chance to enjoy a matchday in a comfortable setting.
dinners served as part Community Meals programme 975 975
Pride Park also hosts our biggest charity, allowing fans to have 3,300 runners, an increase
July 2024 saw us host our welcomed 160 attendees, and
We once again took 79 volunteers Nakuru communities but also towards supporting local projects.
Our green initiative continues Chester and Sinfin. Through Adults also enjoyed coffee
Throughout 2024, we’ve expanded
part in our activities. We
safe space for football to nurture local talent, receiving enhanced training
well-known location. It is home and more. In 2024, with initiative.
Special Guest experience with children who have
4 raised at our 2nd BLACK AND WHITE FUNDRAISING BALL £12,601 part of our programme
4 £12,601
Female Talent Pathway players made international debuts in 2024
biggest fundraiser, the Derby 10k, and the 1884 Wall. The 1884 Wall raised vital funds for our have their names proudly displayed on the wall at Pride Park. The Derby 10k, held in March, saw from the previous year.
second Black and White Fundraising Ball at Osmaston Park in Ashbourne. The evening and the final figure raised on the evening was an amazing £12,601.
volunteers to the Nakuru slums in Kenya for our 11th annual trip. This trip not only benefits the also has a positive impact on our work at home, with a portion of the funds raised directed projects.
continues to grow, with both children and adults engaging in activities at our allotment plots in Little Through these sessions, 100% of children increased the variety of fruits and vegetables they consume. mornings, sound healing, and flower arranging.
expanded our offerings to support even more people in our communities.
trust partners
Our Trust Partner network aligns local businesses with the Trust, securing financial investment and developing long term partnerships to develop an extensive network of supporters. The network is currently made up of 37 partners.
funding partners
A huge thank you to our highly valued funding partners for all their contributions during 2024. Your support has been essential to our progress and success. We look forward to continuing our collaborative work in the future.
We are proud of our people. We are proud of what we do. We make a difference.
Our team and projects and many integral to
Find out more
allows us to deliver our amazing programmes projects across Derbyshire. We have a core staff team many part time coaches and volunteers who are all to helping us achieve our mission. more about our staff and their roles here.
looking to the future
The city of Derby and Derbyshire continues to be full of potential and opportunities but like many other areas in the UK, it also faces many challenges. However, aligned with the support of Derby County Football Club, our Board of Trustees and our funders, Derby County Community Trust is as robust and ready as ever to be able to respond to the needs of our communities.
The football club’s brand continues to allow us the opportunity to reach further and deeper into our communities. We are determined to collaborate with our key stakeholders to identify the areas where we are best placed to support and to maximise our impact through key campaigns and our supporter base.
Furthermore, the coming year will mark a continued new chapter for the Trust as the influence of the new management structure, chair, and board members gathers momentum. Meanwhile, our outstanding and committed staff will continue to work tirelessly to meet the needs of our participants and wider communities through innovative and impactful programmes.
The next year promises to be another exciting year for Derby County Community Trust and as ever, we are extremely grateful to all of our funders, partners, supporters, and sponsors for their unwavering commitment, and we look forward to 2025 with ambitious plans and aspirations.
Paul Newman Head of Community
Derby County Community Trust
How to get involved with FUNDRAISE
Fundraisers are our superheroes. They allow us to continue so many of our important projects across the City of Derby and Derbyshire.
Whether you want to support a specific project that’s helped you or someone you know, or want to contribute towards a range of programmes, your support is greatly appreciated.
If you would like to find out more about fundraising for us please click below:
PARTNER
We are proud to be partnered with organisations across Derby and Derbyshire who enable us to reach more people. We are always looking to build our network of partners whether that be through your organisation becoming a trust partner or sponsoring one of our events/projects.
If you or your organisation are interested in becoming a partner or sponsoring one of our programmes, please get in touch by emailing community@dcct.co.uk or by clicking below:
