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At this month’s “Thinking and Doing Differently” Conference in Nottingham, Nottingham Forest Community Trust and Ideagen showcased the transformative power of cross-sector collaboration in shaping brighter futures for young people.

The event, held at the Trent Conference Centre in Lenton, brought together over 120 senior leaders from business, education, public services, and the voluntary sector. Spearheaded by Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Gary Godden, in partnership with the Raleigh Education Trust and the It’s in Nottingham Foundation, the conference called for a bold shift: moving beyond fragmented, short-term youth support to embrace long-term, joined-up action.

With rising school exclusions, youth vulnerability, and wide-spread deprivation across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, the urgency to act differently was clear. Delegates also included leaders from Nottingham City Council, the Violence Reduction Partnership, educational trusts, and major employers such as Experian, Capital One, DHP Family, and Boots.

A keynote from Stephen Greene CBE, CEO of RockCorps, set the tone by demonstrating how innovative models of volunteering can drive global youth engagement.

In this spirit of innovation and shared purpose, Nottingham Forest Community Trust and Ideagen spotlighted Think Big, their pioneering digital skills and aspiration-building programme for secondary schools.

Developed and delivered through a unique collaboration between a leading community organisation and a global tech company, Think Big is a model for how private sector investment and strategic partnerships can unlock new opportunities for young people.

The programme, offered at no cost to schools, equips Year 10 to Year 13 students with exposure to industry-relevant topics such as coding, marketing, artificial intelligence, and technology in sports. It also connects students directly with professionals and workplaces, helping them envision and pursue careers that may have previously felt out of reach.

Claire Knee, Global Community & Social Impact Lead at Ideagen, and Calum Osborne, CEO of Nottingham Forest Community Trust, shared the programme’s journey and impact.

“This conference reinforced the importance of not just thinking differently, but doing differently,” said Claire Knee.

“Think Big is our response to that challenge. We’re not just delivering tech workshops; we’re introducing young people to real careers, real people, and real futures. We’ve already seen students’ confidence grow, their aspirations rise, and their belief in themselves transform.”

Now entering its fifth year, Think Big has engaged thousands of students from communities across the city and county.

Schools have reported significant improvements in digital literacy, confidence, and career awareness. The programme extends beyond the classroom, offering workplace visits, inspiration from programme ambassadors, and matchday experiences at Nottingham Forest Premier League fixtures. These activities bring learning to life in powerful ways.

Natalie Baker-Napier, Head of the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Violence Reduction Partnership, praised the initiative:

“The Think Big programme shows the incredible impact that can be made for children and young people when there is true collaborative working. In developing our Thinking Differently Social Impact Model, we are keen to spotlight existing initiatives like Think Big and learn from them so we can maximise lasting impact for children and young people across the county.”

Calum Osborne emphasised the broader significance of the programme:

“The challenges facing our young people won’t be solved with yesterday’s thinking. Think Big is about giving students something different, something that opens doors and unlocks new futures.

“When community organisations, employers, and schools come together with shared purpose, the results can be extraordinary.

“This programme is proof of that, and we’re only getting started.”

As the conference concluded, stakeholders were invited to make pledges. These were collective commitments to keep children safe, improve wellbeing, promote engagement in education, and open pathways to opportunity. Leaders from across sectors pledged their support, signalling a shared appetite for collaboration and long-term change.

Police & Crime Commissioner Gary Godden closed the event with a message that echoed the spirit of Think Big:

“We can’t continue to do what we’ve always done and expect a different outcome. This is our chance to make a difference for our children and young people and create an environment where we come together to support them.”

Photos – Lamar Francois, Photographer

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