Meet The Team
Don Bryden - CEO & Founder of BEST
Don is managing director of recruitment company KCJ-Care.
When his daughter Jess became involved in gangs within Swindon, Don found that he was able to move her away from anti-social behaviour by getting her involved in sports.
Seeing the positive effect that fitness and a relationship with a 121 coach had on Jess, Don decided that he would use his own funding and set up a sports mentoring service that could be accessed by all children and young people within Swindon and WIltshire
Craig Hiscock - Operations Manager
As a fully trained youth worker and independent advocate, Craig’s has 20 years of previous experience working with young people and adults with SEN and complex needs. Craig supported Don to set up BEST in 2020. Craig has personal experience as a young person involved in addiction and criminality, helping him empathise and engage young people going down the same path.
Craig is also a qualified England Boxing coach and a level 3 personal trainer
‘We work hard to help young people feel valued and listened too. We always put the needs of the young person at the center of the work we do. What I love about BEST is seeing young people grow. There is no better feeling, than hearing young people laughing, seeing them smile and watching them overcome their difficulties.
We also have an amazing team which I am proud to manage!’
Laura Frankham-Gething – Deputy Manager and Designated Safeguarding Lead
Laura has 15 years’ experience working directly with children and young people with complex issues. Laura has previously worked in alternative education, supporting young people with SEN, mental health issues and challenging behaviours. With qualifications in Social Science, Emotional Regulation and Child Trauma, She is a fully trained safeguarding lead who specialises in child exploitation and ACE’s
‘I struggled in my teenage years with issues at home and that came out in my behaviour with education and authority, I just wanted to feel part of something but didn’t know how to engage. Every day I see our mentors make young people feel part of a community that values them, watching that young person thrive is why we all do what we do.
I feel lucky to be part of an incredible team’
Paul Rogers – England Boxing Coach and Youth Mentor
Paul was the first BEST mentor in 2020. Previously a boxer for 13 years, titled Western Counties ABA Champion for 9 years, received 9 caps as Captain of the England Boxing team and a 1996 Atlanta Olympic member. Before he came to BEST Paul spent 10 years working in schools and various youth projects, teaching non-contact boxing. Paul is level 2 trained boxing coach and has level 2 qualifications in Understanding Autism and Information, Advice and Guidance. In his spare time Paul is a boxing coach for Scrappers ABC
‘Best has allowed me to enhance my personal skills, while passing on knowledge and life skills I’ve learned. I love Supporting and encouraging young people to make positive choices by working with a skilled team of mentors and sports coaches, who are excellent in their field.
We are a close team who support each other and learn from each other, working for BEST can be both challenging and rewarding.’
Stephen McRae – Martial Arts Coach and Youth Mentor
Stephen has been working with young people in Swindon for over 10 years. Previously he delivered the Prince’s Trust Team Programme, supporting groups of complex young people to develop their skills in team work and work skills. Stephen has qualifications in education and training, information, advice and guidance and is working towards a level 3 in counselling. He is also a black belt in Karate and regularly coaches in his spare time
‘I love my role at Best and being part of an amazing team where everyone shares the same professional values and ethos.
We all bring our own expertise to the charity and constantly seek to learn new things from each other and the young people we serve. It’s within this nurturing environment that successes and breakthroughs are witnessed daily’
Neil Tustin – FA Football Coach and Youth Mentor
Neil has been a fully qualified FA youth football coach and has worked in grassroots football and ran primary school teams for over 15 years. Neil coaches 3 teams at Highworth Juniors FC and is the FA Respect officer, all in his spare time. He has been voted FA Grassroots Coach of the year for 3 years running since 2020. Neil is qualified in information, advice and guidance
‘I love every part of working for Best and find it extremely rewarding to be helping so many young people who are struggling by supporting them into sports, such as football and watching their self-esteem grow. We make a fantastic team and its very unique, almost like a family’
Erskine Smith – FA Football Coach and Youth Mentor
Erskine is a Level 2 qualified FA Football coach. Previously, Erskine played football at an international level for the National Team of Barbados, receiving 55 caps over his career. Erskine has spent the last 15 years working in a variety of roles in youth work, behavioural support and sports coaching within community and educational settings, in London and Swindon. He received the ‘Jack Petchey Outstanding Leader Award’ in 2013 for his hard work engaging young people through football
‘My role enables me to prioritise, support and encourage young people to positively develop themselves through participating in sporting activities. I am very enthusiastic about football and believe that sports can be a great outlet. I feel valued and happy being a member of the BEST team.’
Jessica Bryden - Boxing Coach and Youth Mentor
Jessica has been an amateur boxer for the last 3 years and has won the Western Counties Development Championship. She is qualified in A-Level Sports Fitness Science and Personal Training. Jessica is currently studying Sports Massage Therapy while working at BEST
‘I love that I have the opportunity to be able to impact a young person positively. I understand what our young people are going though because of my own past.
Its so rewarding when you see that change in a young person you are supporting.’
Ryan Beauchamp – Personal Trainer, Boxing Coach and Youth Mentor
Ryan is a level 3 Personal Trainer and Amateur Boxer for over 10 years. He has previously worked in SEN education and Children’s Homes. Ryan is passionate about helping others live healthier lifestyles and managing positive mental health, using his own life experiences
‘I love working for BEST because we are given a chance to make a positive impact to young people’s lives using sports and fitness. The team at BEST are more of a family who all work together to ensure we can achieve the best outcomes for all of our young people.’
Sam Stoddart – England Boxing Coach and Youth Mentor
Sam has been a Level 2 England Boxing coach for the past 14 years. He started coaching whilst serving in the British Army, until he was medically retired in 2015 from injuries sustained in Afghanistan. Since then he has become Head Coach for Devizes Amateur Boxing Club and has trained multiple regional champions, including a Woman’s National Champion
‘What makes working with Best so rewarding, is sharing my passion & skills with young people who might not typically have access to these opportunities. It’s inspiring to watch them grow & become more confident through something they can genuinely enjoy.
Over the years, I have seen first-hand the positive impact learning to box can have on children & I have watched so many children develop key life skills.’
Jack Rogers – Tutor and Youth Mentor
Jack is a tutor at BEST, helping our young people apply their skills academically. Jack previously worked in Primary schools, for Middlesbrough F.C. and spent 3 years teaching English in China. He also brings his skills from the wider business world, having worked for a multinational green energy company. Prior to starting as a Tutor, Jack was our longest serving volunteer, having been with BEST since the start.
‘I love working at BEST because BEST has a positive impact on our community and refuses to give up on vulnerable people. It's a great feeling to be part of this talented team that builds self-esteem and makes a real difference in the lives of Swindon's youth.’
Sabrina Starkey – Administrator and Tutor
Sabrina is our Administrator and Trainee Tutor at BEST. With a degree in Health, Community and Social Science and youth work experience, she has been able to apply her learnt skills to become a huge part of the BEST service
‘I have a passion for encouraging positive mental health in young people after my own personal struggles. I am committed to empowering young people and driving positive change. I feel very lucky to be a part of a team that motivates and inspires me, not only to do my best but to be able to create a safe space for the young people we work with every day.’
Lucy Jones – Receptionist and Administrator
Lucy is an integral part of BEST as she is the first person to welcome you when you attend our centre. Lucy is trained in SEN and complex behaviours, as well as contextualised safeguarding. In her spare time Lucy is a Dance teacher for children
‘I am passionate about working with young people, making them laugh and smile and watching them develop day by day’
