Collinson is proud to be a founding partner of UK-based employment and education charity, Coach Core.

Supporting 16-24 year olds across the UK, Coach Core delivers an inclusive and impactful coaching apprenticeship that strives to develop the talents of young people not currently in education or employment, providing them with a range of vital skills for work and life.

To support our ambition to drive social mobility, we work with Coach Core to provide meaningful options for young people from disadvantaged and under-represented backgrounds, so they can reach their full potential.

Coach Core apprenticeship programme

Our partnership with Coach Core began in 2016, when they were looking for a corporate partner to help support the launch of their London apprenticeship programme.

Together, we launched the programme, and since then we’ve assisted in expanding it even further – using our skills, offices, equipment, and people to provide hands-on support.

Coach Core apprentices are in our London and Haywards Heath offices regularly and our people are proud to support them through volunteering programmes including online learning and support, fitness programmes and career mentorship. 

We’ve provided expertise around GDPR, offered new experiences for the apprentices including live football matches, and delivered a programme that helps young people build stronger relationships, improve their financial awareness, and enhance their mental wellbeing.

Gary Laybourne, Chief Executive of Coach Core, said, “We are so grateful to Collinson for your continued and unwavering support. It’s because of you, that disadvantaged young people are being given another chance. With almost half a million NEET young people who want to work but need the right support to do so, Coach Core’s work has never been more crucial. It’s your fundraising, volunteering and support that keeps us going.”

Supporting young people to achieve their goals

Since 2016, the programme has supported over 650 young people across the UK, helping them to develop their skills, confidence, and employability. Our efforts have helped Coach Core apprentices to deliver over 130,000 sports coaching sessions, helping more than 2.2 million young people to get and stay active.

With the unwavering support from our colleagues across the business, donated hundreds of thousands of pounds to support the delivery of the programmes. In return, we’ve all reaped the benefits of the fantastic fitness programme, and we’ve seen colleagues take on new and exciting challenges like the ASICS London 10k and Royal Parks Half Marathon in aid of the scheme. 

An astonishing 90% of Coach Core apprentices graduate – incredible when compared to the national average of just 60%. And with 92% being in work or education six months after graduating, we know they go on to do great things.