Nick’s story: from setbacks to full-time employment through sport

Through a Coach Core apprenticeship partnership with Freedom Leisure, Sporting Memories, Sport for Confidence and Essex County Council (funded by Sport England’s Pilot Fund), Nick began delivering reminiscence-based and inclusive physical activity sessions to older people at Witham Leisure Centre and local care homes across the area. 

It was his first paid role, and the start of a remarkable journey. 

Finding his feet

Over the course of his apprenticeship, Nick led Sporting Memories sessions that blend sport-based reminiscence with inclusive physical activity, supporting older people to stay connected, active and engaged in their community. 

What quickly became clear was that Nick’s lived experience wasn’t a barrier to doing this work. It was one of the things that made him so good at it. 

“It is important that the members are feeling appreciated, and they are hearing a younger person’s voice interacting with them.”
Nick Greenslade, Coach Core apprentice 

His empathy, work ethic and ability to build genuine relationships with session participants earned him recognition from everyone around him, including his peers, his employers and the wider Coach Core network.  

“Throughout his apprenticeship he has brought energy, empathy and real skill to every Sporting Memories session, building meaningful relationships with our members and helping them rediscover the joy that sport can spark.”
Catherine Forsyth, Healthy Communities Manager, Freedom Leisure 

Growing in confidence

For Nick, the apprenticeship was about more than just the work itself. 

“I believe I developed throughout this apprenticeship good communication skills, good development mentally and physically, and good rapport with older demographics. What I hope to get out of this apprenticeship is to work in the same sector as I currently am, assisting elderly people, helping the wider demographics throughout these communities.”
Nick Greenslade, Coach Core apprentice 

That personal growth was recognised at the Coach Core Awards earlier this year, where Nick won the Apprentice of the Year (Growth category) accolade. 

“When we set out to launch this apprenticeship project, we hoped to create a pathway for personal and professional development for young people through sport and engaging with older people in their local communities, and that has been achieved through Nick’s wonderful efforts.”
Chris Wilkins MBE, Co-Founder and CEO, Sporting Memories 

“Sport is the vehicle. These young people are proof of what it can carry.” 

“Sport has always had the power to transform lives but too often we’ve only told half that story. Many of the apprentices coming through this programme have faced their own mental health challenges or live with a disability, and rather than that being an obstacle, it becomes the very thing that makes them exceptional at what they do. They understand, from lived experience, what it means to feel excluded, and what it means to be brought back in. That’s an incredibly powerful thing.”
Gary Laybourne, CEO, Coach Core Foundation 

What comes next 

Nick’s efforts have been rewarded in the best possible way. Freedom Leisure has offered him a full-time position, where he will continue delivering Sporting Memories sessions at Witham and expand the programme into Braintree and Halstead, bringing more people into the fold. 

“We are incredibly proud to welcome Nick into a permanent role. His journey shows what’s possible when talent is nurtured and barriers are removed, and we know he will play a vital role in expanding our Sporting Memories provision across the district. Nick is a brilliant colleague and an inspiration to the communities he serves.”
Catherine Forsyth, Healthy Communities Manager, Freedom Leisure 

To mark the milestone, Nick led a special World Cup-themed Sporting Memories session on 12 June at Witham Leisure Centre, bringing together club members from across Witham and Braintree for an afternoon of football reminiscence and inclusive activities. 

“We are so proud of what Nick has achieved, not just for expanding the reach of Sporting Memories across Essex, but most importantly his personal growth in a professional and personal capacity, which has seen him fully earn his role with Freedom Leisure.”
Chris Wilkins MBE, Co-Founder and CEO, Sporting Memories 

Watch Nick’s story 
Find out more about Nick and the apprenticeship project in this short film: