A reflection on a year of community, compassion, and connection at Notts County Foundation.
As 2025 has drawn to a close, we find ourselves reflecting on a year shaped by powerful moments, new beginnings, and deepening connections across our community. This year wasn’t defined by one single achievement, it was defined by many. By the people we met, the stories we shared, the barriers we broke down, and the spaces we opened up.
This was a year where our team stepped forward in ways that brought people together, strengthened wellbeing, and championed inclusion across Nottingham.
This was the year we…
…Remembered with Love.
One of the most moving moments of 2025 came with the unveiling of the Baby Magpie Remembrance Wall at Meadow Lane during Baby Loss Awareness Month.
Created in partnership with families and community groups, the wall offers a gentle, permanent space for remembrance – a place where love, loss, and hope sit side by side.
It stands as a testament to the strength of our community and our shared commitment to supporting one another through the most difficult moments of life.
…Transformed Our Spaces.
Thanks to generous support from Sky Bet and EFL Funding, our new sports hall flooring at Portland Centre was officially unveiled this year.
What began as a refurbishment project quickly became something much bigger — a renewed and vibrant space where local people can move, play, train, and grow.
It’s a transformation that reflects our belief in the power of accessible, high-quality facilities to change lives.
…Made Belonging Our Priority.
In 2025 we launched We Belong, a programme dedicated to supporting children and young people with disabilities through inclusive sport and physical activity.
At its core, We Belong is about more than participation, it’s about belonging.
It’s about making sure every young person who walks through our doors feels valued, supported, and able to thrive, regardless of ability.
This programme represents a significant step forward in our mission to make sport truly accessible for all.
…Shared Food, Faith, and Friendship.
This spring, Meadow Lane hosted its second-ever Open Iftar, welcoming people from across Nottingham to break fast together during Ramadan.
The evening brought warmth, unity, and shared understanding to a place usually defined by football. A real sense of community spirit filled the stadium.
It was a reminder that Meadow Lane isn’t just a home for sport, it’s a home for people.
…Slept Out to Stand Up.
The Nottingham CEO Sleepout returned to Meadow Lane once again, bringing together leaders from across the city to raise awareness and funds for those experiencing homelessness.
Armed with sleeping bags, participants spent a night under the stars to shine a light on an issue that affects so many.
Their commitment showed how powerful collective action can be and how deeply Nottingham’s business community cares.
…Kept Moving for Every Minute That Matters.
It wouldn’t be Notts without the wheelbarrow featuring. This year, our Senior Leadership Team proudly joined the nationwide EFL Every Minute Matters Relay, a movement celebrating physical activity and its impact on wellbeing.
Running, walking, and relaying through the city, our team stood shoulder-to-shoulder with clubs and communities across the country to champion healthier, more active lives.
It was a moment of shared energy and purpose — and one that reminded us what can be achieved when we move together.
And above all… 2025 was the year we built community.
Every project, every partnership, every event, every moment – they all came back to one thing: people.
The people who trusted us.
The people who welcomed us.
The people who stood beside us.
The people we exist to support.
From remembrance walls to inclusive programmes, from interfaith gatherings to citywide challenges, 2025 was a year defined by connection.
As we look ahead to 2026, we remain committed to supporting our communities.
Here’s to another year of impact!
