To mark Trustee Awareness Week (9-13 November 2026), we’re celebrating the dedicated individuals who help shape the future of Sheffield Wednesday FC Community Programme (SWFCCP).
Lifelong Owls fan and SWFCCP Trustee Kay Dickinson who joined SWFCCP’s Board in Autumn 2025, shares how her passion for Sheffield Wednesday, combined with a wealth of professional experience, has inspired her to give back to the community.
From helping shape the charity’s future strategy to championing opportunities that improve lives across Sheffield, Kay explains why being part of our Trustee Board is such a privilege.
Could you tell us a little about yourself and your professional background?
I was born in and have always lived in Sheffield. All my family come from Hillsborough (one grandad from Leppings Lane) and have always supported Wednesday. My dad and grandad took me to games from being little and I started going home and away with friends when I was older. I've been a season ticket holder for more than 50 years now 😳.
I'm qualified accountant by profession but over my career in the private and public sectors I've covered a range of different roles, taking in strategy, organisational performance, change management and corporate governance.
Before taking early retirement in 2013, I spent five years as an Executive Director for the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES), and before that worked for organisations in the skills, health, utilities, retail and food sectors.
Since retiring from full-time employment, I've filled my time doing quite a few non-executive and voluntary roles. As well as being a Trustee of SWFCCP I'm currently also Vice-Chair of South Yorkshire Housing Association, Treasurer of Voluntary Action Sheffield and a trustee of NOCN (a Sheffield based qualifications organisation). Previously I was Chair of Arches Housing for nine years and Vice-Chair at Barnsley College.
What first brought you to SWFCCP, and what made you want to become a trustee?
Through some of my other roles I had become aware of the great work that football club community programmes do across a range of area like education, employment and health.
As a lifelong Wednesday supporter, SWFCCP was obviously the one that I followed more closely and so, when I saw that they were looking for new Trustees to join the Board, it felt like a great opportunity to bring together different aspects of my experience and skills to support the charity.
What does SWFCCP’s work mean to you, and why do you think it’s important to the community?
People often think of communities as being place-based, but really it's about a sense of belonging, and supporting Sheffield Wednesday is like being part of a huge family.
SWFCCP provides much needed support to that ‘family’ across a whole range of areas - creating opportunities for people to live well. The charity's links to the football club means that it's able to engage with a wide community of children and adults who may not otherwise access services or take part in sport and exercise.
What do you bring to the Trustee Board, and what have you enjoyed most about being a trustee so far?
I feel like I have lots of useful experience and skills that I can bring to support SWFCCP and help SWFCCP’s Head of Community Marcus Brameld and the team to have even more impact.
I've enjoyed getting to know the SWFCCP team and fellow trustees, learning more about the programme and starting to think through our ambitions and plans for the future.
As well as being involved in shaping the new strategy and chairing the Finance Committee, I've also done some practical things like helping with recruitment and reviewing finance procedures.
Is there a particular SWFCCP programme, project or moment that has stood out to you since joining the Board?
There's so much great stuff going on that it's hard to pick one thing in particular. The sheer range is amazing. I love to see the regular emails to Trustees from SWFCCP’s Marketing Manager James providing links to all the recent media stories.
The alternative provision for kids who don't thrive in a normal school environment is a big one for me, because getting young people re-engaged in education can have a hugely positive impact on the rest of their lives.
I also love the way that the Programme is able to motivate older adults to come together to start exercising and talking - improving both their physical and mental wellbeing.
Looking ahead, what would you like to see SWFCCP achieve - and what does Sheffield Wednesday mean to you personally?
It's an exciting time, with the new ownership of the club showing great enthusiasm and support for the Programme. That has provided us with a renewed sense of ambition for what we can achieve in the future.
For me, it's a privilege to be involved.
Wednesday has always played such a big part in my life, so I feel very lucky to be able to bring together my interests and experience with SWFCCP.