Evolve to Thrive Programme
Switch the Play Foundation (STP) and Dame Kelly Holmes Trust (DKHT) are collaborating to deliver Evolve to Thrive - the programme that empowers the journey of athletes through transition, and beyond.
This programme has been carefully designed to wrap around athletes as they navigate this life period. There are three main elements aimed at supporting athletes:
- 1-2-1 Mentoring
- Group-based learning and development
- A facilitated community
The programme will cover a wide range of topics, including Identity, Mental Health, Networking, Transferable Skills, Brand, Financial Wellbeing, Resilience, Personal Development, and much more. Additionally, athletes on the programme will gain access to carefully selected mentors who have been there and done it - Holly Bradshaw, Stevie Ward and Abigail Irozuru to name a few.
Athletes will receive guidance on the development of many transferrable skills, such as communication, determination, perseverance, leadership (and many more!), further increasing readiness for employment after sport.
The programme will run from January to December 2025. There will be up to 40 spaces available for the full programme, including mentoring, virtual and face-to-face sessions and access to the community. There will also be additional spaces for those who would like to access virtual sessions only.
This programme, powered by the Jacobs Futura Foundation signifies an exciting time for the athlete transition and wellbeing space, with collaboration at the heart of this. This will only benefit the end user, the athlete.
“Having someone to listen non judgementally, always clear action points and summary of what was discussed too. Holding space for what I need and allowing me to go at a pace that’s comfortable for me. It’s really meaningful and I feel genuinely supported. I feel valued, cared for and respected.”
Here’s what DKHT CEO, Martin Talbot had to say:
“Thanks to Dame Kelly Holmes’s vision, one of the Trust’s founding principles was to provide support and care for elite athletes as they transition from elite sport into the next chapter of their lives”.
“With funding from Jacobs Futura Foundation, we are delighted to be working in partnership with Switch the Play on Evolve to Thrive athlete transition programme. Together, we can provide athletes with a more joined up and holistic package of support through pooling our expertise, networks and passion”
STP’s Athlete Services Manager, Matt Lock added,
“We’re so excited to launch this programme in partnership with DKHT. This collaborative effort ensures athletes are getting the best possible support as they navigate a potentially tricky life period. The programme has been carefully designed by industry experts and we can't wait to get going”.
The deadline for signups is Friday 20th December 2024
To sign up for the programme click here.
For more information, click here.
“I was paired fantastically well with my mentor. I liked that my mentor instilled a sense of self confidence while also challenging me when necessary. The frequency of the sessions suited me and it was nice to fit in some in person face to face sessions too which really elevated the impact of the mentorship”