SUCCESS STORY CONTINUES FOR DEAN AS HE HELPS DCC SEEK NEW APPRENTICES!
A MAN, originally from Frosterley, who was taken on as an apprentice with the local authority
almost 20 years ago is now seeking like-minded youngsters to follow in his footsteps.
Dean Tinkler, a bit of “class clown” couldn’t wait to leave school but he was one of the first in his
year group to secure himself a job. He had spent his work experience with the Sport department at
Wear Valley District Council with George Richardson and Kevin ‘Kitten’ Peart. He knew then that this
is what he wanted to do.
He thoroughly enjoyed the experience, learning a lot from his two mentors, who were only too
pleased when he applied for an apprenticeship the following year. Dean worked his way through the
apprenticeship and then gained a full-time post, organising and leading sporting events in local
primary schools in Weardale.
He used his love and talent for sport, guiding youngsters and using his rapidly increasing
experience to help them keep themselves fit and active. To this day, Dean is still involved in football,
having played or managed local teams, such as the now defunct St John’s Chapel FC, Tow Law Town
FC and most recently Wearhead FC. Not to mention his time as a coach at Wolsingham Youth
Academy.
To this day he is still part of the management team that runs the one and only current Weardale
football team, Stanhope Town Sports and Social Club FC. He not only leads and organises the team,
he writes match reports for the local press.
He still works for the local authority, him being ‘inherited’ when Durham became a unitary
authority. That was when he moved into the ‘Wellness on Wheels’ programme after a staff
restructure.
He went on to become an Assistant Sports Officer before starting his current role as Community
Wellbeing Coordinator in 2023 and still helping to organise and run community groups in Weardale
and beyond, including the Man Health group in Stanhope and the Wolsingham Walking Group.
As well as delivering in many schools – just like it all began!
Now he is helping in the quest to seek young people to come and join him and the team at the
local authority with the new Community Activator Coach apprenticeships that are being offered
there.
“It’s a great opportunity to enter the Sport and Wellbeing world and I’m well aware of the
positive impact it has on our communities and as I’ve been doing it now almost 20 years, I know for
sure that these apprenticeships can turn into a life-long role,” said Dean.
“It’s a fantastic first footstep for the right people and I would urge any young person who is
interested in sport, keeping physically and mentally fit and has a passion for helping others to do the
same and apply.”
There are four positions available with an annual wage of £14,566. Community Activators play a
vital role in improving the health and wellbeing of communities through sport and physical activity.
Community Activator Coaches promote, deliver and coach fun, inclusive and engaging physical
activities that communities and people can adopt to help maintain a physically active lifestyle.
They are positive role models, who encourage positive changes in behaviour to make
communities fitter and healthier. As an Apprentice Community Activator Coach, you will join
Durham County Council’s passionate Culture, Sport, and Tourism team, and you will have the
opportunity to develop skills, knowledge, and experience in all aspects of their wellbeing
programme.
To apply or for more information, go to the website at: Apprentice (Community Activator
Coach) – Durham County Council – North East Jobs
