Jay admits he had reached ‘rock bottom’ when moving to Wolverhampton five years ago, but now runs a hugely successful furniture restoration business Jay & Co, and presents four shows on the BBC, including The Repair Shop with a regular audience of over six million viewers.
Jay took part in the first ever Molineux sleepout at the stadium last November, and is now “proud” to be a part of the Wolves Foundation and ready to help inspire local people and communities.
“I’m so proud to have been asked to become an official ambassador for the Wolves Foundation,” he says.
“Wolverhampton is a place very close to my heart, and the city’s motto ‘Out of darkness cometh light’ resonates with me on so many levels.
“When I came to live in Wolverhampton in 2015, I was in a dark place.
“Fast forward five years and I’m now a presenter on the BBC and have my own modern furniture restoration business Jay & Co.
“I believe that my family and this wonderful city was fundamental in my own transformation and is now where I call home.
“I look forward to working with the charity and aligning my passion for transformation with the projects being delivered by the Foundation.
“Together, I hope we can make a difference and help to inspire change and motivate local people and communities through sport, education and health-related initiatives.”
Originally from Hackney, Jay is dyslexic and after leaving school at 15 with no qualifications, he eventually managed to get back on track studying for a degree in criminology and philosophy at Buckingham University before finding his true vocation in restoration.
Passionate about sustainability and the environment, Jay’s inspirational journey to becoming a top broadcaster, as well as running Jay & Co which is based in Ironbridge, follows his work with several charities.
He is the former co-founder of award-winning social enterprises Out of The Dark and Street Dreams, mentoring and supporting thousands of disengaged and disadvantaged young people and helping them to realise their full potential.
“We are thrilled that Jay has agreed to become an ambassador of Wolves Foundation,” said Will Clowes, Head of Wolves Foundation.
“His words about Wolverhampton helping to transform his life are particularly powerful and tie in with our own values about creating opportunities and changing the lives of people in the local community.
“The success Jay has enjoyed in his career through his talent, hard work and determination, coupled with his commitment to helping others, make him the perfect fit as one of our growing team of ambassadors.
“His participation in last November’s first ever Molineux sleepout was another sign of how keen he is to support people in need from Wolverhampton, and we are all really looking forward to working with him.”
Jay becomes the fifth ambassador of Wolves Foundation, joining former Wolves captain Karl Henry, musical artist S-X and broadcasters Johnny Phillips and Jacqui Oatley.
