Episode 63: Tom Clarke-Forrest - Sport 4 Life

In today's episode, James speaks to Tom Clarke-Forrest, the Founder and CEO of Sport 4 Life UK. Fresh out of University, Tom began Sport 4 Life UK, a charity that uses sports as a tool to facilitate meaningful and sustainable impact for the young people of Birmingham. Tom has a bachelor’s degree in Sport & Exercise Science and Physiology from Leeds University, a Level 5 in 'Leadership & Management' as well as 'Change Management’ and is currently completing an Executive MBA. Before going to University, Tom had a gap year in Brazil, where he witnessed significant poverty and deprivation, but also the significant power of sport as a force for good in the world, and this experience acted as a platform for Sport 4 Life's inception.

Sport 4 Life UK is proud to provide the opportunity to young people aged 11-29 to prepare for, and move into, sustained education, employment, or training by improving their employability and key life skills - through its sports-themed personal development services. It is the leading sport for employability enterprise in the West Midlands, employs over 25 full-time staff and has a current operating income of c.£1.4m. In 2020/21, the organisation supported 1,015 young people, with 78% from ethnically diverse backgrounds and 30% females. 184 gained an accredited qualification, 360 are enrolled in targeted services, 96% improved at least one key life skill, 95% significantly improved their employability skills and 114 progress into employment, education, or training.  Tune in to Learn More About:

• Tom's earliest sporting moments and his career vision when he graduated.
• Tom’s trip to Brazil where he drew inspiration on the power of sports in the lives of youths.
• The challenges that Tom faced during the first 12 to 24months of founding Sport 4 Life UK and what his income generation springboard was.
• The day-to-day challenges he faces as he leads the business and the daily routine he has in place to help him deal with these challenges.
• Sport 4 Life UK’s work with NEET young people and the delivery of the HAF program.
• How Sport 4 Life UK changed its sporting offer.

… and so much more!

Connect With Tom:

LinkedIn: Tom Clarke-Forrest

Twitter - @TCForrest

Check out Sport 4 Life UK:

LinkedIn: Sport 4 Life UK

Website: https://sport4life.org.uk

Instagram: @sport4lifeuk

Connect With James:

Instagram: @james_ventures

Facebook: Coordinate Sports FB Page

LinkedIn: James Moore

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