Bolton Wanderers in the Community Celebrate Staff, Volunteers and Participants with EFL Community Hero Recognition

Bolton Wanderers in the Community are pleased to announce their 5 Community Heroes for the 24/25 Football Season. Celebrating the hard work and dedication of our Staff, Volunteers and Participants is key to the charity’s continued work across our town.

The EFL Community Hero campaign works with clubs and CCO’s to shine a light on the everyday heroes who work, volunteer and participate in our local communities. Across the campaign, Clubs, managers and players will mark the incredible work that community staff and volunteers deliver every day, while participants from community programmes are recognised for their commitment and celebrated for their individual successes.

Meet our 24/25 Community Heroes:

Oliver Pratt, BWitC’s Mental Health Transformation Officer

Oliver is BWitC’s Mental Health Transformation Officer leading on the charity’s Headstart programme. As a charity Bolton Wanderers in the Community aims to revolutionise the way young people across Bolton think, talk and act about their mental health. One of the key factors affecting young people’s mental health is the change in environment, friends and routine when transitioning from Primary to Secondary School. Through BWitC’s Headstart provision Oliver provides education on coping strategies and self-management to young people across Bolton aiming to reduce the number of individuals needing local CAMHS services, which currently have large waiting lists, by increasing young people’s resilience and equipping pupils with the necessary tools to thrive at school.

 

Jonny Kimba, former PL Kicks Participant now a Coach for BWitC’s PL Kicks Programme.

Jonny Kimba originally joined BWitC as a participant at our Men’s Health Football Sessions. Jonny moved to support the charity volunteering as a Coach for 12 months on the Premier League Kicks programme in 2019 before moving to a paid member of staff.  Premier League Kicks uses the power of football and sport to inspire young people to reach their potential. While Jonny still works primarily on the Premier League Kicks sessions, he also works on the charity’s Holiday Activities and Food provision in the school holidays where he facilitates free football sessions for the young people attending.

Jude Kay, Participant to Volunteer across BWitC disability programmes.

Jude joined BWitC as a participant across a range of our activities before becoming a volunteer in September 2023 helping him develop his confidence and independence. A valued member of the team Jude works across the charity’s Panathalon events and BL One provision providing activities for adults with disabilities including Ten Pin Bowling, Cricket and Multi Sport. When volunteering he provides a range a volunteer support from event setup to welcoming Teams on arrival at the Venue and directing them to the registration desk, officiating on court both leading and supporting activity stations to giving demonstrations and writing scores down. Jude is highly regarded amongst both BWitC staff and our participants having built a rapport with regular attendees.

Nireexa Solanki, supports the BWitC Unlocking Wellbeing Programme.

Nireexa supports our Unlocking Wellbeing Programme by leading our Carers Yoga sessions and engaging with participants at our Carers Coffee Mornings. Nireexa supports the charity in creating a safe space for local carers to step away from their daily duties to connect with fellow carers across Bolton.

Charlie Watts, Participant of ASPIRE now volunteering with the BWitC Digital Hub.

Charlie, first joined the charity in 2024 as a participant through our ASPIRE session looking to help develop his confidence and employability skills to make the steps toward his future career. The course open to young people aged 16+ who are unemployed or working less than 16 hours per week, offers a range of activities to help participants learn skills to support their transition into full time employment. Now volunteering with BWitC’s Digital Skills Hub Charlie helps support the charity to digitally connect residents with peers and local services.

To celebrate their commitment to the charity Bolton Wanderers in the Community invited our community heroes pitch side to form a guard of honour on Saturday 22^nd February before BWFC took on Leyton Orient.