Mentor of the Year – Coach Core Awards 2025
This award celebrates an individual, in an organisation that employs a Coach Core apprentice, who has surpassed expectations in supporting the young person they work with.
When an apprentice starts work at an employer they are assigned a mentor, someone from the organisation who knows the ropes and knows how to support and develop a young talent into the role. These mentors are critical to helping the apprentice into the world of work – for many it is their first job. They are also often the first point of contact about any other challenges the apprentice may be facing, from mental health difficulties to changes in living circumstances. As you will see, the mentors Coach Core work with do not hesitate to go above and beyond…
Angela Edwards
West Midlands, High Oak Youth and Community Centre
Angela brought on and mentors four apprentices – all known to her through the High Oak Youth and Community Centre – as part of her commitment to providing opportunities to the local community. At the start of the apprenticeship, Angela sourced employability and Maths and English skills training for the apprentices, and midway through she sent them on a 3-day team-building session. She has provided them with a range of development training, from Prevent courses to make them aware of the risks of radicalisation, through to teaching them how to repair bicycles. She has supported their independence by giving each of them funding to run their own projects within the organisation. Angela has also gone beyond what might be expected to help the apprentices facing challenges, supporting with career planning, sourcing transport and even helping to find temporary accommodation.
“Her ideas, work and innovation to support not just the apprentices but all walks of the community is a marvel and I hope that she continues to join the coach core programme in the future to support other young people and apprentices.”
Elizabeth Sunduzwayo
Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, New Hope North East
Elizabeth has consistently demonstrated extraordinary dedication to supporting her apprentice, well beyond the typical expectations of her role. Understanding the daily challenges her apprentice faces, Elizabeth has shown remarkable flexibility with his working hours, adapting his working pattern to better accommodate his requirements. Recognizing his unique needs, she facilitated smaller, tailored development opportunities within the workplace, such as shadowing other staff members to bolster his skills and confidence. Additionally, Elizabeth supported his involvement with the Inclusion North East board, understanding the dual benefit of his contributions to the board and the invaluable experience he would gain. She ensured he had dedicated time during work hours to attend board meetings, emphasizing her commitment to his professional and personal growth.
When he fell seriously ill, Elizabeth’s support did not waver. She went above and beyond by regularly visiting him in the hospital, ensuring he felt valued and supported during a difficult time. Her unwavering commitment to his well-being and success highlights her exceptional dedication and compassion as a mentor.
“Despite her demanding role as the CEO of New Hope, Elizabeth consistently prioritises this time for their apprentice, exemplifying her dedication and profound impact on his development and well-being.”
Scott Moore
Leicester, CEL Sports
Scott recognizes the unique challenges that young people face, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. He has made it a priority to instil resilience in his apprentices, both in their personal development and in the way they work with young people. This emphasis on resilience is not just about enduring difficulty—it’s about learning to adapt, stay motivated, and keep moving forward in the face of adversity, which is critical for long-term career progression. He puts his apprentices through a number of different qualifications, from FA and ECB Level 1s to NHS Autism and British Blind Sport training courses. Beyond technical training, Scott emphasizes the importance of career progression and stability. By offering apprentices a variety of training experiences and certifications, Scott gives them the tools to develop a diverse skill set, opening up numerous career pathways within the sport and physical activity sector. Scott mentors multiple apprentices, each with individual needs and challenges that they are facing. He is able to provide the support, training and opportunities each of them need in order to develop – as well as running a large and expanding business.
“Scott’s forward-thinking approach to workforce planning means that apprentices are integral to the business’s future, as he actively builds the company to be more inclusive and diversified, ensuring apprentices are part of this journey.”
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Lifetime works in partnership with employers to upskill, reskill, and recruit future workforce to unlock people’s potential and harnesses competitive advantage.
Lifetime Training and Coach Core Foundation have shared a strong 9-year partnership focused on empowering young people into community coaching and mentorship. This strong relationship helps build essential skills to pave the way for the next generation of community coaches and leaders.