Blog: AQA Unlocking Potential 2025 begins amongst excitement, laughter and fun in Milton Keynes

At Dame Kelly Holmes Trust we know that the best way to understand the impact of our programmes on young people is to see it in real life! As such, we encourage our whole team to visit programmes whenever they can. Senior Income Generation Manager, Kellie Ormond joined the team in September and was excited to visit the AQA Unlocking Potential launch event in Milton Keynes recently.  

Unlocking Potential is a transformational mentoring programme for students aged from 11-19 years of age, delivered in partnership between education charity AQA and Dame Kelly Holmes Trust. The programme puts athletes' shoulder to shoulder with young people, aiming to raise student's aspirations and expectations for future life goals, equipping them with a winning mindset that’s ready to achieve. Whether that’s moving from school to Further Education, Further Education to Higher Education, or into training and employment, our athlete mentors will help students move forward with confidence. 

Kellie joined other Trust staff and athlete mentors, Kelvin Batey a former BMX World Champion, Anna Turney a Paralympic Alpine Skier and World Cup medal winner and Su Miller and Liz Cann who between them have won Commonwealth Games medals and become English Champion in the sport of Badminton.  

Kellie shared her experience with us…  

I already knew about the incredible work the Trust does to support young people, but being invited to my first AQA Unlocking Potential launch event gave me the chance to see that impact up close—and it was even more inspiring than I imagined. 

AQA has been a proud supporter of the Unlocking Potential programme for the past 14 years, helping hundreds of young people to build confidence, develop new skills, and grow in resilience and wellbeing.  

As I watched the young people arrive, I could sense a mix of nerves and anticipation. Many were quiet and unsure of what to expect. But throughout the day, that uncertainty slowly gave way to laughter, teamwork, and genuine connection—all thanks to the athlete mentors and the carefully designed activities that encouraged everyone to step out of their comfort zones. By the end of the event, the same students who had arrived full of trepidation were leaving full of smiles and excitement about the journey ahead. 

The athlete mentors Anna, Kelvin, Liz and Su were outstanding. Their energy, warmth, and openness immediately put the young people at ease. I was struck by how naturally they began building bonds with the students they’ll be mentoring throughout the programme. 

The morning started with lively icebreakers and physical activities that had everyone—students and teachers alike - on their feet and laughing. Watching the transformation in the room was powerful; barriers melted away, and the young people began to realise that the games weren’t just fun - athlete mentors highlighted how they were building skills like teamwork, communication, and leadership without even noticing it. 

AQA’s incredible hospitality made the day even more special. Their team provided a delicious lunch and had so many volunteers on hand, all genuinely engaged and eager to support the event. During lunch, the athlete mentors joined the schools and young people they’ll be working for the rest of the programme, and it was lovely to witness the first steps in those budding relationships. Giving them a real-life champion in their corner. 

In the afternoon, after a quick energiser, we listened to Su Miller share her deeply personal story—a journey of determination, setbacks, and resilience. It was moving and honest, and I could see how much it resonated with everyone in the room. I found myself reflecting on my own moments of perseverance and how vital it is to keep believing in your potential. 

As the day ended, I walked out alongside some of the students. They were buzzing with excitement, chatting animatedly about the athletes they’d met and what lay ahead. 

Attending my first AQA Unlocking Potential launch reminded me why I was so thrilled to join Dame Kelly Holmes Trust in the first place. Seeing young people grow in confidence in just one day, and witnessing the partnership between AQA, the Trust, and our athlete mentors, reinforced for me the incredible impact that these programmes can make for the young people we work with. 

I left feeling inspired and genuinely excited to see how these young people will continue to thrive in the months ahead.