The Weight of a Brother: Robert Cottrell

Описание: n this special episode of Trims & Talk, we sit down with a brother whose presence has long been felt, even before he enters the room—Robert Cottrell.


Our co-host Donald McLean recalls first meeting Robert in 1990 while teaching on the Black Access course. Robert was a student then, part of a pioneering group of Black learners stepping into higher education at a time when that space rarely reflected them. Donald remembers that classroom—not just as a place of learning, but as a signpost of hope, pride, and shared ascent.


For me, Lungani Sibanda, Robert has always been a figure in the frame. He’s one of those men you notice—whether it's his physical presence in the gym, his sharp mind, or his ever-consistent community engagement. You might not remember exactly when you met him because he's always just been there. A part of the landscape. And that matters.


But Robert is more than visible—he’s indispensable. His career spans over 28 years in the criminal justice system, including work in local probation and national briefs with the Ministry of Justice. He is skilled in risk assessment and has brought those insights into boardrooms, barbershops, boxing rings, and broadcast studios.


For over 35 years, he has volunteered as a boxing coach, not only teaching the fine art of the sport, but instilling discipline, life skills, and a sense of identity into the young men he’s mentored. His leadership has shaped generations—through sweat, structure, and sincere investment.


As Chair of SADACCA (Sheffield and District African Caribbean Community Association), Robert stepped into a space that had seen years of instability. And with his grounded vision and tireless work, he's helped bring SADACCA back into relevance—on the ground and online. He's been instrumental in rebuilding networks with local Black organisations, lifting SADACCA’s profile across platforms like BBC Radio Sheffield, Sheffield Live, and The Sheffield Star, and forging stronger ties with Sheffield City Council.


With 40 years of community work, Robert brings a rare blend of wisdom, street-level credibility, and strategic foresight. He understands what it means to stand in the gap—to carry the weight so others don’t fall through the cracks.


He is a father. A grandfather. A mentor. A brother. A PhD student. A bridge between generations.


And he is a key part of the FADES Men’s Group—meeting every first Friday of the month at FADES Barbershop, helping young men navigate the terrain of mental health, identity, and manhood. Because when you’ve survived the fire, you don’t just walk away—you go back and help others find the path.


This episode is more than an interview. It’s a testimony. A celebration. A call to take stock of the ones who do the work—quietly, consistently, and with conviction.