Imagine this.
You’re 14 years old. Your parents work really hard, earning a living at the local supermarket, just a mile from home. You share a bedroom with your siblings – two of you in a single bed, and one on a mattress on the floor. Today, your only clean top is one of your parents’ uniforms. It’s two sizes too big, but you pull it on and head to school.
As you walk through the gates, what’s on your mind? Are you dreaming big – thinking about your future, your GCSEs, maybe even imagining yourself running your own business?
Probably not. You’re likely focused on day-to-day challenges and that can feel overwhelming at such a young age.
But, you’re resilient, with mountains of potential, and your family is doing all they can to support you – but sometimes, it takes an extra person to see your spark and help you light it. Someone else in your corner, telling you, “I see you on that tennis court. You’re smart – you’re skilled! There’s a world of opportunity waiting, and it’s yours for the taking.”
That person is your Greenhouse Coach-Mentor. And for the next four years, Coach is there every day, not just teaching tennis but guiding you through life. When school feels tough, Coach is there to listen, talk, and remind you that you’re good enough.
Soon, school becomes something you look forward to. Every day, you know you have tennis waiting, a team around you, and a Coach who truly cares.
The court becomes a space where worries fade, and for an hour, you’re just a kid – playing, growing. After practice, Coach notices you’re down and stays behind to chat, lifting your spirits so you leave with a smile. Day by day, that self-belief builds – a network of trust, encouragement, and belief in your potential. You start to walk taller, look people in the eye, raise your hand in class, get that A in Maths.
With Greenhouse, you go on trips to impressive offices in the city, meeting professionals who open your eyes to possibilities that are within your reach. You start to dream bigger, to think, “why not me?” And with the support of your village – family, Coach, your team, school, Greenhouse Sports – you go for it.
This isn’t a made-up story but a real example, that Tom Sippy, Greenhouse Sports Head Tennis Coach, shared last night as a panellist at our Unlocking Potential event. Tom is an exceptional person who “lives and breathes” this job. His dedication left the audience genuinely moved by his commitment as a Greenhouse Sports coach.
The panel, hosted by Greenhouse Trustee Fiona Laffan, Global Head of Corporate Affairs, ICG, brought together voices from across Greenhouse’s “Team for Life”: `head Tennis Coach Tom Sippy, Goldman Sachs Vice President Emer Tiernan, and Greenhouse alumni – Freelance Marketing Consultant Grace Musungu.
Grace shared her journey from Greenhouse basketball days with Coach Alex, to a promising career. Growing up, she faced similar challenges to those described by Tom, but Coach Alex helped her see beyond these limitations. With Alex’s encouragement, Grace qualified as a coach and referee, allowing her to find paid work in sports while still in school, progressing to a now impressive marketing career in the industry.
When asked about the most valuable thing she learned at Greenhouse, Grace gave an insightful response: emotional regulation. Guided by her coach, she mastered a skill many adults are still working on, learning to stay resilient and overcome self-doubt. And almost a decade since they met, Coach Alex was there in the crowd, beaming with pride as she watched Grace share her story.
Emer added a corporate perspective. Her message to the audience was clear: “hire potential and hire people you want to work with.” Reflecting on working closely with Greenhouse’s Youth Board, she said, “If that’s what the future looks like, it’s bright.” As Vice President at a leading finance company, her commitment to creating opportunities for Greenhouse young people sends a powerful message: “This is for you. You belong here, too.”
It doesn’t matter if law, finance, or marketing isn’t what our young people choose to pursue. Success is subjective. We just want them to have the choice – to have the opportunity. And we want them to have the skills and, crucially, the self-belief to seize it.
We all stand to gain from the powerful ideas and talents of young people when we remove the barriers that poverty places on their education, well-being, and dreams. It’s not ability that holds them back, it’s opportunity. And with a Greenhouse Coach-Mentor beside them, they’re ready to take on the world.
You can be part of it too. Join us.