News & Events

BEST Named Finalist for ‘MTM Peaches Golding Community Group Award’

September 2022

BEST is incredibly grateful to be named a finalist for the MTM Awards Peaches Golding Community Group Award. We feel extremely lucky to have our work recognised alongside so many inspiring community groups.

This recognition reflects the dedication of our mentors, volunteers, and supporters, whose passion makes a real difference in the lives of young people. Being a finalist motivates us to continue building on our mission and strengthening our impact within the community.

We would like to thank the MTM Awards for this honour and everyone who continues to support BEST.

An Award Winning Team!

November 2022

BEST were honoured to be nominated for an MTM Special Recognition Award and we were invited to the MTM Awards Gala at the Bristol Marriot.  BEST staff and trustee's experienced an evening of entertainment, food and networking with other community projects within the South West and to top off an incredible evening, we won! 

All of BEST are proud that our hard work and fantastic team are being recognised for the good work we do within the community.

From BEST mentee to BEST team member

January 2023

BEST would like to introduce our newest member of the team, our Trainee Coach Jessica. Jess is where our story began, the reason BEST was created and now she has become a new part-time member of staff.

Jess is not only studying Sports Science at college but she is also an amateur boxer, and with her experience of BEST, we know she’s going to be a great asset to the team.

Well done Jess, we’re all really proud of you!

The Mayors charity of the year

May 2023

This month Swindon welcomed in a new Mayor, Councillor Barbara Parry. Councillor Parry has been a huge advocate of young people within Swindon and BEST were proud to be nominated as her charity of the year, alongside Swindon Young Carers.

We excited for the year ahead and keep your eye out for the events we’ll be attending in support.

A Royal Visit!

Sept 2023

This month we were incredibly honored to host His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales at our new BEST centre!

Thanks to Mayor Barbara Parry, who arranged the visit to Swindon. All of the staff at BEST we able to meet and chat to the Prince William, who expressed his positive thoughts on our charity and the work we all do.

The Mayors Charity of Year for the second year running!

May 2024

BEST were shocked and proud to be nominated as the Mayors charity of the year for a second year running by the new incoming Mayor, Councillor Imtiyaz Shaikh.

BEST were nominated alongside the charity Changing Suits, who work within the South Asian community in Swindon, to support community building and access to services. We look forward to working collaboratively with Changing Suits and an exciting year ahead, keep your eye on our social media for future fundraising and awareness events.

LADBible interviews Jess and Paul

June 2024

Our mentor Jess was contacted by LADBible, wanting to interview her for their YouTube campaign ‘UOKM8’, discussing mental health issues. What Jess didn’t know was that Paul Rogers, our youth mentor and her boxing coach was also there to surprise her!

The interview is a moving account of her journey from drugs and exploitation to where she is now, and how boxing and mentoring had a huge roll to play in that. Make sure you give the full version a watch.

Well done Jess, we continue to be inspired by you!

The Community Award at BBC Radio Wiltshire ‘Make A Difference’

September 2025

We are incredibly honoured to have won a Community Award at BBC Radio Wiltshire’s Make a Difference Awards ceremony. This recognition means so much to us, as it reflects the passion, commitment, and hard work our entire team has poured into our youth mentoring charity. From volunteers to mentors and supporters, every person has played a part in bringing this vision to life. To see the work recognised in this way is truly special, and it all traces back to the vision Don and Sarah began in 2020. We are so grateful to everyone who has supported us on this journey.