About Us
The Bestwood Partnership is a local community organisation which provides numerous services and support to local residents. With strong partnerships in place between the local authorities and additional funders we are proud to create a wide array of opportunities for so many individuals. From Employment and Training to Emotional Health and well-being support, our dedicated team offer their advice and assistance across a number of topics so if you’re unsure as to whether we can help, feel free to get in touch and we can point you in the right direction.
The Partnerships activities cover the Nottingham City Council boundaries of Area One, being Bestwood, Bulwell and Bulwell Forest wards and surrounding areas. For those that are not comfortable with the terms Bulwell Forest wards this includes areas also identified as Top Valley, Rise Park and Highbury Vale areas. Our strategic approach and commitment to the wider area increases year on year as a reflection of our hard work and positive impact, These areas may change from time to time depending on contractual funding and newly identified Partnership working.
The Bestwood Partnership is a charitable company that is:
Community – owned
Community -governed
Community run
We are continuing to support Young people and adults within Bestwood, Bulwell, Bulwell Forest, Basford wards and surrounding areas.
Our Current projects and Activities include:
Into work support
Education &Training
Activities for young people
Support Community Groups
Community Consultation
We are always seeking new volunteers, if interested please click the button below.
Meet the Team
Bestwood Partnership Manager
Donna Denning
Hiya i am Donna, its a great pleasure to be able to lead such a great team at Bestwood Partnership and represent the residents of Bestwood, Bulwell & Bulwell Forest wards. My role is to ensure we retain funding and project delivery to ensure our wards are a better place to live within and offer you the best opportunities we can.
Deputy Partnership Manager & COMMUNITY EMPLOYMENT ADVISOR
Michelle Cooke
I Work across the Bulwell, Bulwell Forest wards & surrounding areas, I support individuals with a wide range of personal, educational, and social wellbeing needs, this is on a flexible and one to one basis. The Initial meeting is aimed to help identify any issues, needs and steps required for you to move towards reaching your full potential.
Community Employment Advisor
Charlie Wayman
Charlie travels around the Basford and surrounding area to offer advise to those in search of a job or career support. He helps individuals find meaningful work and training that utilises their skills.
Lead Employment Advisor
Nicola O'Connor
My names Nicola O’Connor i am a Community Employment Advisor for the Bestwood Partnership. Having grown up within the Bestwood area i have extensive knowledge in barriers that you may currently be facing. I have been supporting the residents of Bestwood and the surrounding areas for over 15 years and continue to do this on a daily basis I help with your journey into employment, this starts with giving that all-important advice & guidance to composing a CV then onto gaining that all important job. My support doesn’t stop there I will then continue to support you whilst working until you feel ready to continue the journey alone.
Office Domestic
Our Office Domestic
Our Office domestic is responsible to provide you with a clean safe relaxing environment whilst with us at The Bestwood Estate Community Centre.
Community Employment Advisor
Kelly Murphy
Hi, my name is Kelly and joined the Bestwood Partnership in 2021, as a Community Employment Advisor. I have worked in Nottinghamshire and
Derbyshire as an Employment Advisor for the last 6 years. I am here to help you take your next move into Education, Employment or Training and
here to support you with your CV, Job applications, College, training courses, job searches as well as interview prep –
I know how scary they can seem! I will be there with you through all this on a 1-1 basis and even when you have reached your goal, I will still be there for as long as you need it.
Community Employment Advisor
Shaun Francis
Hi, my name is Shaun, Initially I joined The Bestwood partnership in the summer of 2022 covering St Ann’s, Sneinton and Mapperley areas of Nottingham, helping with job searching, CV development and accessing
training. With extensive experience in education and community work, I’ve been able to use this to aid people into sustainable employment, develop skills and to help jobseekers successfully navigate the job market. With the St Anns contract coming to an end in March of 2024 I now cover Basford, Bulwell, Top Valley and Bestwood areas of Nottingham,
predominately based within the Basford & Riverside Library, as well as delivering sessions from the Basford Baptist Church. Feel free to contact me on:
What we do
Health and Well-being
We’re all different. What affects one person’s mental well-being won’t necessarily affect another but we all have times when we feel stressed, upset or find it difficult to cope.
No matter the reason, it can be helpful to remember that you deserve to feel good and there are steps you can take to improve and maintain your mental well-being.
At Bestwood Partnership we offer a variety of activities to support your emotional health & well-being. To find out what is happening locally to you, visit our events page.
Employment & Training
Our team of friendly and experienced advisers will work with you to help you find the perfect job for you. We can also help you to develop a CV, complete application forms and practice interview techniques and questions.
But if you don’t feel quite ready for work just yet then we can also support you to find training opportunities and voluntary placements, giving you the confidence to grow and gain new skills.
Interested? Then give us a call on 0115 975 5758 or email admin@bestwood.org.uk
Community
With our organisation’s mission always in mind, we strive to find new strategies for dealing with any challenge. For example throughout Covid-19, Food Poverty, welfare rights, debt support & Prescription Drop-Off is something that we taken very seriously, and our team is working closely with Community Partners each and every day to make a positive impact. Contact us to learn more about our commitment.
Play and Youth
The physical development and emotional well-being of Children and Young people is key to a young person’s life and impacts upon life experiences. Numerous FREE and LOW COST activities have been designed across the area to meet the needs of the community.
Training Courses Available
Training Programmes Designed for You – Our Community!
At the Bestwood Partnership, we understand the needs of our community and are here to support you. Our training programmes are designed to help you gain essential skills, improve opportunities, and make life a little easier.
We offer courses in:
Basic Skills – build confidence and improve everyday abilities
Computer Skills for Beginners – get started with essential digital
skills
Accessing Apps – get comfortable with technology and online services
Energy Efficiency – learn practical ways to save money on your bills, and receive a thank-you gift for attending
Employment Support Programmes – tailored work clubs and “Into Work” courses, including stewarding, retail, and CSCS courses …and much more!
Call us for more info: 0115 975 5758
Our Directors
Bestwood Partnership was established in 1998 and is managed by a team of directors (The Forum).
The Forum is responsible for the running of the Partnership and major decision making. There are no rules for the frequency of Forum meetings, but they are usually held around six times a year. Membership of the Forum consists of local residents, usually one city councillor and workers co-opted from the public/private sector or voluntary/community groups.
Members are elected every four years (every year in the case of members co-opted from the public/private sector) at the Bestwood Partnership annual conference. Any local resident can become a member of the Forum and we particularly welcome applications from young people, people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds, people that identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender plus (LGBT+) and people with disabilities, as these groups are currently underrepresented on the Forum.
If you would like to become a Forum member please contact The Bestwood Partnership Manager to discuss this further.
Brian Grocock (Honorary Alderman)
Chris Hooper (Chair Person)
Teresa Kelly
Kim Pavier (Treasurer)
Dawn Britt
Georgia Emily Power (NCC Councillor)
Lisa Davis
Roy Smith
Dave Mulligan
