Villiers Park Educational Trust

Villiers Park Educational Trust is a social mobility charity with a 100-year history of supporting young people from underrepresented backgrounds to reach their potential.

I worked with Villiers Park on and off between 2020 and 2023. This was a transitional time for the organisation: it was preparing to launch a new five-year strategy centred around a major change to its programme model - and then covid struck. Forced to close its Cambridgeshire residential centre - a significant part of its USP at the time - it had to rapidly pivot to an online delivery model and restructure. 

This wide-ranging role was a generalist's dream: I worked closely with both central and regional teams to promote online courses, resources and events to schools and students, ensuring continuity of service; I co-managed two target-beating fundraising campaigns; I helped to launch the landmark green careers programme, Sustainable Futures; I worked with students like Mustafa and trustees like Benita to create compelling case studies and impact reports; I contributed to the scoping of a digital transformation project; and, best of all, I meet hundreds of inspirational young people, educators, coaches, volunteers and alumni along the way. See some example content below.

Gaby Sumner

"Tim was a highly valued member of the Villiers Park team, working with us both in a project-based and more integrated capacity as interim communications manager.

"Tim helped to raise the profile of our work by producing and sharing impactful content including stories, newsletters and programme information with our audiences. He was instrumental in delivering the 2022 Villiers Park Impact Report, and his rapport with students, staff, alumni and partners helped to build a repository of case studies which demonstrate the value of the organisation’s work and underpin our case for support."

Rae Tooth

Former Chief Executive of Villiers Park and founder of Inclusion Revolution

"We needed an interim Communications Manager whilst we restructured and recruited. Tim was able to step in at short notice and work flexibly, supporting colleagues across the organisation, raising our profile to the audiences that matter to us. His quick grasp of the operational aspects of the role, as well as the language, tone and nuances of our unique organisation, was spot on. His experience in other education settings meant he was great at working with professionals in an education setting, and equally with our young people.

"Tim enlivened both the Villiers office and its online presence, producing great content including audio interviews, infographics and videos, and worked with me to sharpen our organisational messaging."