Strategy 2026-2031
contents CONSULTATION
The development of Derby County Community Trust’s Not Just Football strategy was informed by a thorough consultation process designed to ensure that the views and experiences of a variety of stakeholders were reflected in our approach. We engaged with staff, participants, partners, commissioners and Trustees through a range of methods including surveys, focus groups and team meetings.
This process provided valuable insight into what is working well, the challenges our communities face, and the opportunities for future development. The feedback received helped us to adapt our mission, vision and values, identify our strategic priorities, shape our goals and objectives and ensure that the strategy is both ambitious and achievable. By involving stakeholders throughout the process, we have developed a strategy that reflects shared aspirations and strengthens our commitment to delivering positive outcomes for the people and communities we serve.
FOREWORD THE STORY SO FAR
FOREWORD
I am pleased to share Derby County Community Trust’s Strategy 2026 - 2031, which builds on our strong foundations and sets out an ambitious vision for the future.
As a trusted community organisation, the Trust is committed to creating positive social change and helping people reach their full potential. Through a wide range of programmes and partnerships, we address key social challenges and improve opportunities across our communities.
Developed through extensive consultation with participants, staff, trustees, partners and stakeholders, this strategy reflects the needs of our communities and the opportunities ahead. It outlines how we will strengthen and expand our impact over the next five years.
By harnessing the unique power of Derby County Football Club to inspire and unite people, we will continue to improve health, wellbeing, education and employment outcomes. Working closely with our valued partners across the public, private and voluntary sectors, we remain committed to delivering meaningful, lasting change.
I am excited about the next chapter of Derby County Community Trust’s journey and confident that, together, we can make make strides towards a thriving, healthy, connected community.
STEPHEN PEARCE
I am once again privileged to introduce another landmark publication from Derby County Community Trust, which outlines our strategy and vision for the next five years.
As a football club, our intrinsic link with the community is exemplified through the incredible work of the Community Trust, who excel year on year in connecting and supporting participants from right across the city and county.
Delivering against our long-standing pillars, the next five years present us with chance to further our impact.
By developing programmes designed for those who need them, rather than applying a ‘one size fits all’ approach, the football club’s reach is widened far beyond those who attend games at Pride Park Stadium through the efforts of all of those who work for, and with, the Community Trust.
Ensuring that Derby County remains the ‘heartbeat of our community’ – one of our core club values – is manifested so clearly through the Community Trust, and I look forward to seeing another five years of progress, growth and positive change.
I am delighted to be writing these notes as Chair of Derby County Community Trust to introduce our new five-year strategy that will shape the direction of our future work. Behind our conversations and consultations when building this strategy has been a real understanding that Derby County Community Trust is in a strong place and our ‘Not Just Football’ strategy reflects our desire to build on our past experiences and successes to shape our service in the coming years.
We operate in a world that is rapidly changing, where expectations on the quality and value for money of our services are constantly increasing and where we continue to find innovative solutions to the challenges our communities face.
In that context, the process of pulling this strategy together has led to some fascinating discussions about our role, our vision and our mission. Our partnerships across Derby and Derbyshire are key to our delivery and we look forward to strengthening these as we move forward.
I would like to thank the participants, partner organisations and individuals who have fed into this process and our Board of Trustees and staff who will ensure the strategy’s successful delivery through their unwavering enthusiasm and commitment.
chair, Derby County Community Trust Mike Evans
Derby County in the becomesCommunityregistered charity
DerbyshireAwardsBusiness Winners (Commitment to the Community)
First Rams in Kenya trip Moved to Pride Park Stadium
First Football in Education programme
Our mission
Empowering communities to improve lives through sport, physical activity, health and education: harnessing the power of Derby County Football Club
Raise aspirations, build resilience and positively influence future prospects for people.
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to
How we deliver impact
Events & Fundraising
Partnerships & Stakeholders
Key enablers
Communities
Staff & Volunteers
Data
Marketing and Communications
Safeguarding
Foundations Equality,
Build Community Pride
Support Good Health and Wellbeing
Optimise Life Chances
Develop More Active Communities
Underpinning
everything we do
Our goal is to build communities that people are proud of and actively engaged in. We identify areas of need and develop provisions that fill the gaps in these communities.
Why?
How?
We know that pride grows when people feel safe, supported, and celebrated. Many communities across Derby and Derbyshire face challenges that affect confidence, cohesion, and local identity. Our programmes are designed to bring people together across generations, backgrounds, and identities.
We’re building community pride by creating spaces where everyone feels welcome. Whether it’s on the pitch, in the classroom, or out in the community, we are supporting people to be proud of where they live and who they are.
Build Community Pride Support Good Health and Wellbeing
Optimise Life Chances
Develop More Active Communities
Underpinning
everything we do
We’re committed to helping people live longer, healthier, and happier lives.
Why?
How?
Across Derby and Derbyshire, many individuals face challenges that impact their physical and mental health. From long-term conditions to social isolation, the need for support has never been greater. In Derby and Derbyshire, healthy life expectancy varies significantly by area and deprivation level.
Supporting people experiencing health inequalities is central to our work. We deliver a wide range of health and wellbeing programmes and respond to the demands of the communities we serve. This includes tailored sessions for those with physical or learning disabilities, empowering management of long-term health conditions, supporting recovery and prevention and offering spaces for connection.
Build Community Pride
Support Good Health and Wellbeing
Optimise
Life Chances
Develop More Active Communities
Underpinning
everything we do
Our programmes are designed to raise aspirations, build resilience, and positively influence future prospects for people across Derby and Derbyshire.
Why?
How?
Derby and Derbyshire face significant challenges when it comes to health, education, and opportunity. In some communities, life expectancy falls below the national average. In others, young people are more likely to experience poor mental health, unemployment, or social isolation. These challenges can limit life chances and deepen long-term disadvantages. By intervening early, we can help individuals develop the confidence, skills, and support networks they need to thrive.
We engage with those most at risk of being left behind. Our work spans the entire county, reaching individuals and communities who need it most. Whether it’s a young person struggling in school, an adult facing addiction, or someone simply looking for connection, we offer support.
Build Community Pride Support
Good Health and Wellbeing
Optimise Life Chances
Develop More Active Communities
Underpinning
everything we do
Improving the communities in which our participants live is fundamental to what we deliver as a charity, we’re committed to helping people of all ages to move more and live healthier lives.
Why?
How?
Communities are at the heart of what we do and physical inactivity across Derby and Derbyshire remains a major challenge. By strengthening community infrastructure, relationships, and local leadership, we can create environments where being active becomes easier and more enjoyable. Active communities are healthier, more resilient, and better connected.
Our physical activity programmes are designed to foster positive relationships with movement, be flexible and welcoming. We will deliver flexible physical activity programmes, strengthen local capacity to deliver, work with partners to remove barriers and create supportive environments that make everyday movement easier and enjoyable.
Build Community Pride
Support Good Health and Wellbeing
Optimise Life Chances
Develop More Active Communities
Underpinning
everything we do
GOVERNANCE
We are committed to upholding the highest standards of governance and continually improving our approach, guided by Charity Commission and the Premier League Capability Code of Practice (CCOP) framework.
We will:
• Embed governance across our Board of Trustees and senior leadership team, with clear roles and responsibilities.
• Maintain up-to-date policies covering safeguarding, finance, risk, data protection, equality, and other key areas, with regular reviews to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Identify, assess and monitor risks across all areas, keeping a live risk register and implementing effective mitigation plans.
• Promote transparency by publishing annual reports, communicating openly with stakeholders, and actively listening to the voices of our beneficiaries.
• Regularly review governance practices through board evaluations, external audits, and frameworks like CCOP, and taking action to strengthen performance.
• Strive for excellence in all aspects of governance and continuously seeking opportunities to improve and innovate.
Our safeguarding strategy sets out the Trust’s commitment to create and maintain a safe environment for everyone. Its purpose is to prevent abuse and respond effectively to any safeguarding concerns. We instil robust policies, clear procedures, and a culture of care and accountability that supports the well-being of all vulnerable individuals.
We will:
• Continue to promote a culture where concerns can be raised openly, promptly, and without fear of reprisal.
• Ensure to create a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and protected.
• Listen, respect, and take seriously anything that concerns your safety. We will act with care, integrity, and vigilance in everything we do.
We are committed to managing our finances responsibly, ensuring that every pound is used effectively to support our charitable objectives and maximise impact. To secure long-term financial sustainability, we focus on diversifying income streams, building strategic partnerships, and maintaining prudent financial planning.
We will:
• Maintain clear budgeting, reporting, and auditing processes to allow for transparency and accountability.
• Have an independent review of accounts by external auditors or examiners to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Create annual budgets aligned with our strategic priorities, guiding the effective use of resources.
• Have defined financial roles and responsibilities across the Board of Trustees and senior leadership team.
• Regularly review policies and systems, adopt new technologies for efficiency, and benchmark against sector best practice.
• Identify and manage financial risks through a comprehensive risk register, with proportionate mitigation measures.
• Continue to invest Trust reserves into sustaining existing programmes and piloting new, in response to local need.
Environment/ Sustainability
We are committed to reducing our environmental impact, promoting sustainable practices and embedding environmental education and action across all operations and community programmes.
We will:
• Work in close partnership with the Club to ensure a shared vision and aligned approach.
• Create engaging and innovative ways to champion sustainability across our operations and within our community.
• Harness the influence of our brand to inspire greater awareness, empower individuals to make a difference, and highlight wider opportunities to contribute to a more sustainable future.
EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
We are committed to tackling all forms of discrimination, both on and off the pitch. We recognise our responsibility to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion across all areas of our work, ensuring these principles are embedded in everything we do.
We will:
• Lead by example and championing EDI at every level of the charity.
• Using data and insight to guide our decisions and shape our actions.
• Providing meaningful learning and development opportunities for staff and volunteers.
• Actively promoting inclusion and challenging discrimination wherever it arises.
Donations allow us to improve lives across Derby and Derbyshire, daily. We invest funds raised into a variety of projects from cancer recovery support to disability programmes. Whether you are a one-off donor or a regular giver, you are ensuring that we can continue our vital work.
You can donate by scanning the QR code.
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 or 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 scan the QR code to learn more.
