Case Study - Millie

Mansfield Town Community Trust is committed to creating clear pathways for young people to progress into employment, volunteering and leadership roles within sport. A key priority is supporting young people to develop the skills, qualifications and confidence required to access meaningful opportunities, particularly within the local workforce. Premier League and PFA Core Fund investment has strengthened the Trust’s staffing structure and workforce development offer, enabling the creation of entry-level roles and progression opportunities for young people. This includes providing structured support, training and qualifications to help individuals transition into employment or coaching roles. 

Millie (17) first engaged with the Trust as a casual seasonal worker during the summer holiday period, supporting staff across a range of activities and programmes. This initial opportunity provided Millie with insight into community programme delivery and allowed her to begin developing key workplace skills. Following this, Millie progressed into a more regular role supporting Saturday morning participation sessions, where she assists in delivering coaching activities for younger participants. Through this role, she has taken on increased responsibility and become a consistent member of the delivery team. Alongside practical experience, the Trust has supported Millie to gain recognised qualifications, including the EE Playmaker course, as well as first aid and safeguarding training. This combination of hands-on experience and formal training has enabled Millie to build her confidence and develop the skills required to support session delivery effectively. 

Millie has demonstrated clear progression from a short-term seasonal role into an ongoing coaching support position, highlighting a successful pathway into the workforce. Through her involvement, she has developed key employability skills including communication, teamwork, organisation and leadership. The opportunity to gain qualifications alongside practical experience has increased Millie’s readiness for future employment and strengthened her confidence in working within a structured environment. Her continued involvement reflects increased commitment and aspiration to further develop within coaching and sport. 

Millie said:

“The opportunities I’ve had through the Trust have really helped me build my confidence and develop my skills. Supporting sessions and gaining qualifications has given me a better understanding of coaching and has made me feel more prepared for future work.” 

More widely, this story demonstrates the Trust’s ability to identify, support and retain young people within its workforce pipeline, contributing to the development of a skilled and sustainable local workforce. 

This impact story highlights the importance of providing accessible entry points into employment, supported by clear progression routes and accredited training. A key learning for the organisation has been the impact of early engagement and structured support in enabling young people to build confidence and transition into workforce roles. 

Ricky Stevenson, CEO of Mansfield Town Community Trust, said:

“Millie’s journey is a great example of how we are creating clear pathways for young people to progress into the workforce. Through the support of the Premier League and PFA Core Fund, we’ve been able to provide opportunities, training and real-world experience that help young people build confidence and develop the skills they need for future employment.” 

Moving forward, the Trust will continue to strengthen these pathways, ensuring more young people can access similar opportunities to develop their skills, gain qualifications and progress into employment or volunteering roles, supporting both individual outcomes and long-term organisational sustainability.