National Careers Week is from the 3^rd – 8^th of March, celebrated across the UK and to mark the occasion, Derby County Community Trust have hand-picked a number of their employees to shed light on their experience of working within the Trust.

Staff members called upon were; 

• Richard Mansfield, Schools and Coaching Manager
• Hannah Stanier, Health Team Leader
• James Tew, Education Officer
• Shannon Parkes, Disability Inclusion Officer

Richard has been working at the Trust for over 16 years, Hannah, 8 years, James, full time since September after graduating from DCCT’s degree course and Shannon, just shy of two years.

Each team member was asked a series of questions about what it is like to work at Derby County Community Trust. 

When asked what their jobs entail, Richard said, “I manage a team of coaches who are deployed into schools and the community to deliver sessions, events, P.E lessons for predominantly primary aged children.”

Hannah replied “I manage a group of programmes that all vary, with different health conditions. We have cancer rehab, cardiac rehab and women’s health. Within those programmes we focus on physical activity, social support, mental health, education and holistic based therapy.”

James was asked to describe his journey within the Trust: “When I was 16, I went to sixth form and did A-Levels. I knew traditional university wouldn’t work for me, I didn’t want to move out of home, and I didn’t want to move too far. I saw DCCT’s degree programme advertised, I chose that and got volunteering opportunities, which I was successful in. That then lead me to get full-time paid work after I graduated. 

I now mentor on our Degree Programme, coach a Football and Education team, oversee our Emerging Talent Programme, and I coach a Female Talent Pathway team.

I love the participants. I really enjoy working with different people, that’s what drives me, fulfilling their potential and working with those who possibly aren’t the most academic and watching them gain a degree.”

Shannon was asked, what are your strengths within your job?: “I am a good people person, and I create really meaningful relationships with carers, parents and participants. I put the participants at the centre of everything that I do and try to motivate them to believe in themselves.

For example, it is World Down Syndrome Day on Friday 21^st March. The DS Active group are so valued by us, we are like a little family and I want to celebrate that day and make them feel special for the individuals that they are”

Sharing what he enjoys about his role, Richard said: “I enjoy being able to develop programmes, staff and see them progress whether that would be internally or externally. 

It is always a good feeling to go back into a session observation or watch an event take place and see the children enjoying it, participating and seeing the impact that the work we do behind the scenes has on the participants.

We have staff that have gone on to do other roles within other organisations who are now high up within the education industry and coaches who have worked in different academies across the country who started their journey with us.”

When asked if they would encourage others to join the Trust, Hannah said: “Absolutely, there’s a reason why I am still here after 8 years... I love how many different people you meet each day and the stories you hear.”

If you wondered what makes a good candidate for a job at DCCT, Shannon said: “A caring person, wanting to make a difference to people’s lives. Those who work at the Trust have a genuine interest in what we do.”

All interviewees were asked to describe their job in one word: Richard answered “fulfilling”, Hannah said “enjoyable”, James replied “fun” and Shannon smiled and said “wholesome.”

Words such as impactful, caring, innovative and family were used to describe Derby County Community Trust as a whole.

If you are interested in joining the team at DCCT, keep up to date with our current vacancies.