Switch Up

01/09/2026

An evening of inspiration, community and giving back. 💙

Two-time WBA world champion, long time patron and proud Nottingham legend, Leigh Wood, took time out to spend an unforgettable evening with us at Nottingham School of Boxing and Switch Up.

Our boxing coaches had the opportunity to take Leigh on with the pads, with Leigh and the audience scoring each performance - nothing like a bit of friendly competition (although it was not particularly friendly once they got started 🥲).

The evening was much more than boxing, Leigh spoke openly about growing up, the challenges and setbacks he faced, the people who inspired him and why he supports Switch Up - and why giving back to the community he calls home means so much to him.

A huge thank you to Richard Donovan for facilitating the conversation so brilliantly 👏

The gym was packed with Young People, local residents, representatives from Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council, charities and businesses - all coming together with a shared commitment to our communities. 💙

A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this happen, everyone who joined us and of course Leigh - not only for giving us his time, but for the continued support he gives Switch Up behind the scenes.

Most importantly, this was about our Young People. Keep showing up, pushing forward and believing in a better future where you start does not define where you finish 💙

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29/08/2026

Join our team. Change lives.

We're growing our impact, expanding our reach, and looking for talented people to be part of our journey. If you're looking for a new opportunity, we'd love to hear from you 🩵

⭐ Youth Work Team Lead
⭐ Education Tutor
⭐ Targeted Youth Worker
⭐ Learning and Engagement Mentor
⭐ Boxing & Sports Coach

The Switch Up team are a community of passionate people, committed to creating positive futures for young people across Nottinghamshire. Every day, our team works alongside young people facing challenges such as poverty, exclusion, violence, poor mental health and lack of opportunity.

Together, we help them build confidence, resilience and the skills they need to thrive.‌

Take a look at our roles here 👉 https://switchupnotts.co.uk/careers/

27/08/2026

🎙️UNDER THE HOOD – EPISODE 5 WITH JOE HEYES IS OUT NOW!

We're back with another episode of Under The Hood - and this time, we've got a very special guest in the studio!

Dr Marcellus Baz BEM is joined by England Rugby and Leicester Tigers star, and Switch Up Patron, Joe Heyes. 🏉💙

From his early days and journey into professional rugby, to life at the top of the game, Joe brings plenty to the conversation — including rugby, ambition, managing mental health, masculinity, resilience and the people who help us along the way.

It's a great conversation with a brilliant guy - and a proud Switch Up Patron.

🎥 Watch Episode 5 now: https://www.youtube.com//podcasts
🎧 Listen now: https://under-the-hood.captivate.fm/listen

If you enjoy it, give it a like, share it with a mate and subscribe to the channel!

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors Lindleys Autocentres, 200 Degrees Coffee and Sandbox for helping us bring Under The Hood to life.

🎙️ UNDER THE HOOD – Nottz Community Matters

27/08/2026

🎙️UNDER THE HOOD - EPISODE 5 IS OUT NOW!

We’ve got a big one for you this week…

& star and Switch Up Patron, joins for the latest episode of Under The Hood.

From Joe’s journey into professional rugby to life at the top of the game, it’s a great conversation covering sport, ambition, mental health, masculinity, resilience and everything in between. 🏉💙

One of our favourite conversations yet - go and give it a watch!

🎥 Full episode - watch for free using the link in our bio.

A huge thank you to our sponsors , 200 Degrees Coffee Roasters and Sandbox for supporting the series.

🎙️ Under The Hood – Nottz Community Matters

25/08/2026

☀️ THAT'S A WRAP ON SWITCH UP'S SUMMER HAF, 2026! 💙

Three weeks, 244 visits, loads of activities and plenty of new faces - and we can't believe how quickly it went!

Our programmes at the Switch Up Community Hub in Mansfield have officially come to an end, and we'd like to say a huge thank you to every young person who joined us over the summer.

It was brilliant to welcome so many new faces alongside lots of young people returning to Switch Up this year - including 91 children and young people with SEND and medical needs.

Across our 6–14 and secondary-age sessions, there was something for everyone, with boxing, basketball, sports, games, crafts, dodgeball, a bouncy castle and plenty more keeping everyone active, creative and having fun! 🥊🏀🎨

Most importantly, we hope everyone who came through our doors had an amazing time, made new friends, tried something different and created some great summer memories. 💙

A huge thank you to Nottinghamshire County Council and the Department for Education for helping to fund this year's HAF programme and making these opportunities possible for young people in our community.

And finally, thank you to our incredible team, volunteers and everyone who helped make the last three weeks so much fun.

We'll see you next time! 👊

25/08/2026

☀️ THAT'S A WRAP ON SWITCH UP'S SUMMER HAF, 2026! 💙

Three weeks, 244 visits, loads of activities and plenty of new faces - and we can't believe how quickly it went!

Our programmes at the Switch Up Community Hub in Mansfield have officially come to an end, and we'd like to say a huge thank you to every young person who joined us over the summer.

It was brilliant to welcome so many new faces alongside lots of young people returning to Switch Up this year - including 91 children and young people with SEND and medical needs.

Across our 6–14 and secondary-age sessions, there was something for everyone, with boxing, basketball, sports, games, crafts, dodgeball, a bouncy castle and plenty more keeping everyone active, creative and having fun! 🥊🏀🎨

Most importantly, we hope everyone who came through our doors had an amazing time, made new friends, tried something different and created some great summer memories. 💙

A huge thank you to Nottinghamshire County Council and the Department for Education for helping to fund this year's HAF programme and making these opportunities possible for young people in our community.

And finally, thank you to our incredible team, volunteers and everyone at Switch Up who helped make the last three weeks so much fun.

We'll see you next time! 👊

24/08/2026

There’s still a few places left for this amazing opportunity to meet ’s own WBA champion 🥊

Please contact us at [email protected] to book your free place(s) for Thursday’s meet and greet with at Nottingham School of Boxing

🥊 A CHAMPION IS COMING TO SWITCH UP! 🥊

We're excited to welcome Switch Up Patron and two-time WBA Featherweight Champion, Leigh Wood, to Nottingham School of Boxing on Thursday 27 August at 6pm! 👊

Leigh will be joining our coaches for some pad work and training before spending time with our young people, sharing his experiences and talking about what it takes to work hard, overcome challenges and achieve your goals.

This is an incredible opportunity for our young people to meet positive role models, hearing from someone who has worked their way to the top and seeing what's possible when someone believes in themselves and puts in the work.

For anyone who would like to come along and meet Leigh, we are taking bookings for this free event but it is first come first served only as we are limited for space.

Please contact us at [email protected] to reserve your place(s).

We're looking forward to a great day at Nottingham School of Boxing! 💙🥊

Up

20/08/2026

🎙️ UNDER THE HOOD – EPISODE 5 WITH JOE HEYES - COMING 27 AUGUST

“I went through all my childhood feeling like the odd one out”

In Episode 5 of Under The Hood, Marcellus Baz BEM speaks to Leicester Tigers and England Rugby star - Switch Up patron Joe Heyes - about growing up, finding his way into rugby, mental health and the impact of toxic masculinity.

Joe talks openly about the pressures that come with professional sport, and the importance of being able to talk about how you're feeling - particularly when expectations around masculinity can make that difficult. He also shares stories from his life, his role as a Switch Up patron and his incredible career in sport.

👀 Here's a first look at what's to come...
🎧 Episode 5 launches on 27 August

Subscribe to the free podcast now and catch up on previous episodes featuring Vicky McClure, Mark Platt & Dr Saima Masud, John-Joe Reilly and Des Walker.

🎙️ UNDER THE HOOD – Nottz Community Matters

📺 Watch on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkT0oT0lkhj0b66RqJeoADpZ8az4X_CX

🎧 Listen on Captivate:
https://under-the-hood.captivate.fm/listen

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors Lindleys Autocentres, 200 Degrees Coffee Roasters and Sandbox for helping us bring these important conversations to our community.

19/08/2026

Helping out in our local community! 💙

We were recently contacted by our friends over at Laughing Bob’s Bargains, who kindly offered to donate children’s cot beds to Oakfield’s charity partner, Switch Up.

Over the past few weeks, Oakfield’s Gary Clarke has been busy delivering the cot beds to families across the Midlands, helping provide much-needed support to those who need it most.

A huge thank you to Bob for the incredibly generous donation and for helping us make a difference to local families. 👏💙

Switch Up Marcellus Baz Gary Clarke