Will

Kieren

I’ve been coaching sports since I was 17 years old. It all began when I started working at a Just for Fun holiday club to earn some money during college breaks. As opportunities arose, I shifted my focus, and I ended up completing my college work online and in my own time. This allowed me to teach after-school clubs for the Just for Fun holiday club.

Additionally, around the same time, I was offered the opportunity to help teach martial arts at my taekwondo and kickboxing school. I had been training at that school since I was 6 years old and had earned a 2nd-degree black belt in taekwondo.

Afterwards, I received my qualification in sport science and decided to leave college. My primary goal was to invest more of my time and effort into conducting school sessions for both the Just for Fun and Success Martial Arts programs. I had no plans to attend university because I wanted to gain more experience and knowledge in coaching and learn about the behind-the-scenes aspects of running certain aspects of a business.

Since that time, I've had the privilege of teaching sessions in over 10 schools, including an SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) school. I derive great satisfaction from working with children, as I enjoy witnessing the significant impact a coach can have on a child's life by serving as a positive role model. It's equally rewarding to observe the progress made by the children, whether it's within the sport itself or in their growth in confidence and comfort within group scenarios.

My whole life has been football up until I was 18/19 when I got released from Swindon Town Football Club. This tough setback for me really changed my outlook on life as it meant I had to think of other things in life beyond football. My love for football remained, of course; however, I was playing at a different club and less often, but I was happy because it was still at a decent level and men’s football at 19. This forced me to look elsewhere to use my time as I had finished being in education.

I started initially with coaching kids, which I thoroughly enjoyed, but it wasn’t on a full-time basis, so I decided to work with my dad fitting kitchens and doors on a part-time basis. However, the work still wasn’t enough as he was slowing down, ready to retire. This is when I went to some of my closest mates, and they sorted me out with a full-time job ground-working with them.

This was a real eye-opener as it made me realise my passion and love for football was overriding working on a site shovelling cement around because it meant I would turn up for training battered from the long day.

So I quit, and this is when I went back to the idea of coaching because I enjoyed it but wanted a more full-time job of it. This is when I ran into Louis and have been coaching ever since. Coaching kids and helping them develop their football and seeing results has made me realise how rewarding working with kids is, and this is why I decided to get involved with stride.

Leah

Above all else, being a mum to my teenage daughter is my proudest role — she keeps me on my toes, makes me laugh daily, and reminds me what is really important in life.

In my spare time, I love nothing more than spending time in nature, preferably on a farm where I can be surrounded by animals, followed by a night in with a movie - I'll never be too old for a good Disney movie and pick and mix sweets!

I have spent the majority of my career in the mental health and education sectors and have been extremely fortunate to train as a Childhood Practitioner in The Thrive Approach, which is tailored to supporting children to be curious, confident, creative and capable. Training as an ADHD Coach in 2025 was also a game-changer for me— not just professionally, but personally too. It gave me the tools to better understand my own ADHD, and to celebrate the strengths it brings, both in myself and in the incredible students I work with.

I specialise in supporting young people with SEMH and SEND needs, particularly ADHD, Autism, Situational Mutism, and Behavioural Difficulties. Having worked in mainstream primary settings, I've seen just how vital alternative education can be. I firmly believe that learning only happens when we feel safe, valued, and free to take risks — because there's no such thing as failure, only opportunities to grow.

Mentor

Mentor

Mentor

Simone

Head of Operations and DSL

I’m a psychology grad who started out in HR at a start-up but made the jump into education to really make a difference for young people. For the last few years, I’ve worked as a Teaching Assistant in both SEMH and mainstream schools, where I got to know the ins and outs of supporting students in different environments. I’m also trained as an ELSA, helping students build emotional skills that make school life easier and more positive.

Outside of Stride, I’m lucky to mentor for a charity, which is always rewarding. Here at Stride, I get to bring together all these experiences to make a real impact on young people who benefit from a bit of extra support.

As Stride’s Designated Safeguarding Lead, I make sure all our staff and students feel safe, supported, and welcome. The best part of my work is helping students find their confidence and explore their goals. Watching their small steps turn into real changes is amazing, and I’m excited to see just how far Stride can go in creating positive, lasting change for young people.

Hi, I'm Taylor. I'm passionate about all things dance and creativity. For me, dance has always been more than just movement – it became my safe space and my outlet, especially during times when I struggled.

Growing up, I faced challenges with English and Maths, which led to me experiencing anxiety and low confidence throughout much of my secondary school experience. It wasn't until I was studying Dance Performance at university that I discovered I was dyslexic. This diagnosis was a turning point — it helped me make sense of my past struggles and sparked a deep interest in how traditional teaching methods can be developed to better support neurodiverse learners especially in sports like dance.

My journey into working with young people started early. While still in school, I began assisting in dance classes, and later moved into sports coaching at Just For Fun Holiday Club alongside my college studies. These early experiences shaped my belief in the power of creative and inclusive environments for young people to thrive.

Today, my work centres around empowering young people through creativity, movement, and self-expression. Alongside my work with Stride 360, I freelance in the community, teaching inclusive dance classes that focus on creativity, freedom, and building confidence in young people of all backgrounds.

I'm passionate about challenging outdated systems and creating spaces where all learners – especially those who are neurodiverse – feel seen, supported, and celebrated.

Taylor

Mentor