Our Chair Dr Kathy McLean joined Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands, on a visit to The Pythian Club this week to see first‑hand the organisation’s powerful impact on local communities and young people.
Founded in 2014, The Pythian Club has grown into a respected, award‑winning community organisation dedicated to empowering young people and supporting neighbourhood resilience. Based at the Heathfield Community Centre in Basford, they deliver programmes spanning education, mentoring, sport, behaviour support, and community safety.
Their wide range of activities includes multi‑sports sessions, targeted mentoring, support for those experiencing homelessness, and safety patrols in partnership with NET Nottingham Trams. These initiatives offer young people opportunities to thrive while also contributing directly to safer, healthier communities.
Dr Kathy McLean said: “We heard just how important the work of the Pythian Club is to the local community, including its work to support people into volunteering and employment, providing opportunities to be active, its mentoring work with young people and support for people experiencing homelessness.
“Through our continued focus on neighbourhood development, it will be vital for us to work with grassroots organisations like the Pythian Club to ensure they are involved in shaping future support for people living in their area.”
Mayor Claire Ward said: “The Pythian Club shows the incalculable value of community-led organisations which are grounded in place. Their services have grown from relationships, showing a deep understanding of what young people need to flourish.”
“Both Kathy and I know that our regional organisations have a role to play in ensuring that groups like The Pythian Club have the space they need to do this important work, and we will work together to ensure that they are considered as we invest into the region, set strategy, and commission key services.”
Kathy and Mayor Claire identified some shared priorities for the future, including youth trailblazer initiatives, work to support men and boys, mental health prevention work and using data to identify risk earlier and support prevention.