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This season, Nottingham Forest Community Trust has continued to harness the power of football and physcial activity to inspire, support and unite communities across Nottinghamshire.

Through awareness campaigns, inclusive programmes and community engagement, we’ve delivered another season of meaningful impact.

See below a short selection of highlights throughout the 2024/25 Premier League season.

AUGUST

August also saw our first-ever Family Fun Day, a free community event delivered as part of our Premier League Kicks programme aimed at delivering social action.

SEPTEMBER

In September, we hosted a Show Racism the Red Card event at the City Ground to encourage meaningful conversations around inclusion and equality with school children. Nottingham Forest players joined in delivering workshops and engaged with participants in a Q&A.

We were proud to publish and launch our 2023/24 impact report which highlighted statistics and data showcasing the impact we have on the lives of those living in our city and county.

OCTOBER

We marked Black History Month with educational activities in schools and community spaces, alongside the Premier League’s No Room For Racism campaign. The month shone a spotlight on stories of Black excellence and the importance of cultural awareness within sport and society.

The Festival of Football, held in October, brought together local Under-14s teams for a Premier League Kicks tournament that combined competition with life-saving first aid training, collaborative art, and safeguarding education to promote youth development, teamwork, and community spirit.

During October half term, over 3,000 fans attended a special open training session at the City Ground – hosted by Nottingham Forest FC and supported by Nottingham Forest Community Trust – featuring behind-the-scenes access to players preparing for a Premier League game, inclusive activities, and family fun in the Community Corner and Fan Zone.

NOVEMBER

At Nottingham Forest’s Remembrance Fixture against Newcastle United, veterans from the Forest Forces programme and serving members of the Mercian Regiment came together at the City Ground to honour military service, sharing powerful stories of resilience, camaraderie, and community support.

Freddie, a passionate young footballer and lifelong Forest fan, enjoyed a dream media day at the Nigel Doughty Academy, interviewing first-team players and going behind the scenes, after being recognised by Nottingham Forest Community Trust for his dedication through the Premier League Primary Stars programme and Nottingham Forest Official Soccer Schools.

Participants from Healthy Communities programmes enjoyed an unforgettable visit to the City Ground, featuring a nostalgic museum tour, a Q&A with club legend John McGovern, and a special appearance by first-team defender Harry Toffolo.

DECEMBER

December was all about community, generosity, and giving back. The club’s ‘Home for Christmas’ campaign brought festive warmth to local residents, and fans’ donations of over four tonnes of essential items to Himmah’s Multibank – generously doubled by owner Evangelos Marinakis – supported families during the toughest months of the year.

Nottingham Forest Community Trust proudly celebrated the Premier League’s Rainbow Laces campaign during the home fixture against Ipswich Town by hosting LGBTQ+ fan group Proud Forest in the Community Corner, promoting inclusion, raising awareness, and strengthening the club’s commitment to making football a welcoming space for all.

Nottingham Forest players Harry Toffolo and Zach Abbott attended a Bottled Up Blokes men’s mental health session to support open conversations around wellbeing, highlighting the club and Community Trust’s ongoing commitment to tackling stigma and promoting mental health through initiatives like Tricky to Talk.

JANUARY

We proudly named Adam Mansouri as our Premier League Community Captain, recognising his outstanding contribution to local programmes. His story exemplifies how long-term engagement through sport can transform lives and inspire leadership.

January provided the perfect timing to relaunch our Healthy Horizon Hubs, offering free physical activities, mental health support, resilience-building sessions, and community resources to help people recharge, connect, and thrive.

Nottingham Forest Football Club supported us by featuring our logo on first-team shirts worn during the club’s 2024/25 FA Cup campaign. Shirts worn during the ties against Luton Town and Exeter City were auctioned online, raising over £16,000 to support our life-changing programmes across Nottinghamshire.

FEBRUARY

We proudly showcased our work during the Premier League’s More Than A Game campaign window which highlighted the depth of our Premier League-funded work – from supporting mental health and life skills to improving access to sport.

Nottingham Forest Community Trust was featured on BBC Match of the Day’s community segment, showcasing its Premier League Kicks sessions in Bilborough where young people build confidence and skills through sport – joined by Forest stars Taiwo Awoniyi and Willy Boly, who took part in football and netball with participants.

We released an update to our Strategic Plan, reaffirming its commitment to improving lives across Nottinghamshire through health, education, and community initiatives that reflect evolving local needs and priorities.

MARCH

To celebrate National Careers Week in March, we shone a spotlight on the talented apprentices at who are shaping their futures at global tech company and Community Trust and club principal partner, Ideagen.

In partnership with Himmah, we hosted a powerful Open Iftar at the City Ground in March, uniting people from all backgrounds in a shared evening of reflection, community, and support for those in need during Ramadan.

Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi funded and attended a community Iftar in Hyson Green, uniting 70 residents from diverse backgrounds in a show of solidarity and generosity during Ramadan, in partnership with Nottingham Forest Community Trust and local charity Himmah.

On International Women’s Day, we celebrated the achievements of women and girls in sport through events, workshops and school sessions — led by inspirational figures from the women’s and netball squads.

APRIL

Players from our Neuro Walking Football programme attended a tournament at St. George’s Park, the home of England Football, showcasing the power of adapted sport – ensuring that everyone, regardless of condition or ability, has access to the beautiful game.

We hosted our region’s Premier League Kicks Tournament, giving young players a platform to play, connect, and grow – featuring teams from Forest, Notts County, Mansfield Town, and Derby County.

The tournament coincided with the Premier League’s No Room For Racism campaign window and included a Q&A on equality and discrimination with former Nottingham Forest striker Jason Lee.

In partnership with Green Football’s Great Save, Art of Football, and Forza Garibaldi, we delivered a hands-on sustainability workshop for Bramcote College students during Green Football Weekend. Students repurposed old shirts into flags – promoting up-cycling, and inspiring environmental awareness with support from first-team players Harry Toffolo and Callum Hudson-Odoi.

Nottingham Forest Community Trust and West Nottinghamshire College announced a partnership to offer a CIMSPA-endorsed Level 3 coaching course starting in September 2025, giving 16–18-year-olds hands-on experience, industry qualifications, and access to professional pathways through a Premier League community club.

Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis donated 2,000 shirts to children across Nottinghamshire through the ‘Red Thread’ initiative. The club worked with the Community Trust to deliver the shirts to schools, joined by first-team, academy, and women’s players to inspire young fans, support schools in need, and promote inclusion through sport.

MAY

Former Royal Marine and Invictus Games gold medallist Ben Lukowski began attending Forest Forces events as part of his recovery and reintegration into civilian life after a life-changing brain injury, with the Nottingham Forest Community Trust programme helping him reconnect through community support and shared experiences.

We proudly supported Mental Health Awareness Week 2025 by highlighting the vital role of community in mental wellbeing and showcasing the impact of its Tricky to Talk programme – offering safe spaces, peer support, and long-term mental health improvements, with 80% of participants reporting positive outcomes and significant reductions in anxiety.

Nottingham Forest Women’s player Hollie Olding was announced as a Mental Health Ambassador for Nottingham Forest Community Trust, using her platform to inspire open conversations, support young people, and promote mental wellbeing alongside fellow ambassador Harry Toffolo.

Nottingham Forest Community Trust’s 2024 Annual Review, launched in May, celebrated a year of growth, innovation, and impact, with over 53,000 people engaged through programmes that championed health, education, and inclusion across Nottinghamshire.

As the sunny days in May continued, we were proud to be chosen as the charity partner for Evelyn Partners’ Annual Golf Day in May, where over £10,000 was raised to support the Trust’s health, wellbeing, and inclusion programmes across Nottinghamshire.

To mark the end of a thrilling season – with Forest securing European football for the first time in 30 years – we announced Reds striker Taiwo Awoniyi as this season’s Professional Footballers’ Association Community Champion. Taiwo was presented with his award by club captain Ryan Yates after the final game of the 2024/25 Premier League season.

As we reflect on a season filled with unforgettable moments, meaningful partnerships, and deep-rooted community impact, we are proud of everything Nottingham Forest Community Trust has achieved alongside our supporters, participants, and partners.

With Forest back in Europe and even more momentum on our side, we head into the 2025/26 Premier League season more determined than ever to grow our reach, strengthen our programmes, and help even more people across Nottinghamshire thrive.