“Telford Community Basketball – A Wellness Hub

Aim: Our Story: More Than a Game It looks like just a basketball session. A few trainers. A court in Telford. But what you're really seeing is a

Our Story: From the Court to the Community

My name is Dr Hezron Ottey, a former A&E nurse, academic, and community leader. I’ve spent my life helping people heal—first in emergency rooms, then through research, and now through basketball.

I founded Telford Community Basketball CIC to meet a silent need: a place where everyone feels they belong.
No fancy kits. No pressure. Just people from all walks of life—refugees, care leavers, students, workers, parents—coming together to sweat, laugh, talk, and grow.

We are more than a team. We are a movement of inclusion, healing, and purpose.

Meet the Team

We are a diverse group of volunteer coaches, teachers, parents, NHS workers, youth mentors and players who believe in second chances, community, and the power of sport to open hearts.

Our sessions have included:

• A care-leaver scoring their first basket

• A Muslim refugee finding friendship and safety

• A young boy using the court as therapy from bullying

• Police officers and community members playing side by side

This is what we do—we build bridges where others build walls.

Our Vision

We want to establish Telford’s first Community Wellness Hub—a permanent home for basketball, wellbeing, youth development, and inclusive outreach.

We already have the impact. Now we need the infrastructure.

How We’ll Use the Money

With your help, we will:

✅ Hire a consistent, accessible indoor venue for year-round sessions
✅ Launch a Youth Leadership & Mental Health Mentorship Programme
✅ Provide training and safeguarding for our volunteer coaches
✅ Equip players who don’t have proper kit, shoes or resources
✅ Expand our community outreach to care homes, schools, and estates
✅ Begin groundwork for our long-term goal: a purpose-built Wellness Hub

Every pound you give goes toward real transformation.
We’ve seen it already—now we just need your help to take it further.

Join us.
Back a project where every bounce of the ball echoes with hope.
Let’s go Beyond the Ball—together.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 18th September 2025 at 8:07pm