Changing the game for young volunteers

Active Gloucestershire are working in partnership with local charity to provide young people with disabilities the opportunity to volunteer in local s

09th May 2023 | Lizzie Homer | Celebrating success, Cheltenham, Cotswolds, Forest of Dean, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, Innovative strategies, Kids, News, Schools and education, Sport, Stroud, Teens, Tewkesbury

Active Gloucestershire are working in partnership with local charity to provide young people with disabilities the opportunity to volunteer in a local sport and physical activity clubs or organisations.

See My Voice (SMV) is a sports leadership and volunteering programme designed by British Blind Sport (BBS) for young people disabled people, which Active Gloucestershire have been selected to deliver locally. The programme will be funded by British Blind Sport & Gloucestershire County Council and will be delivered to Gloucestershire College students.

The project helps Young Leaders to gain confidence and achieve a Sports Leadership Level 2 Qualification. It also allows them to meet new people, network with sports organisations, raise awareness of their disability and have a positive and long-term impact on the host organisation.

Active Gloucestershire are working with Allsorts, a Stroud based charity who specialise in supporting young people with additional needs, to get active, to deliver the programme.

The programme will be delivered by YuGo Exercise Engagement Pioneers, trading arm of Allsorts. YuGo provides accessible sport and exercise for people of all ages, and provides professional development for educational settings and other professionals in the sport and exercise industry.

The programme, which has been offered to students at Gloucestershire College, is made up on five workshops, which started at the end of April. The participants will gain a level two qualification in Sports leadership as well as key leadership skills. The programme also aims to increase the student’s confidence in leading sports activities.

Max Pemberton, Head of Sport at Allsorts and YuGo said “this is a fantastic opportunity that will not only provide these young people with a sports leadership qualification but will boost their confidence and teach them key leadership skills. At the end of the programme, we want these young people to have to confidence to take on other volunteering opportunities in their communities to help people get active.”

Ben Langworthy, Senior Project Officer (Active Ageing & Disability) from Active Gloucestershire said: “We are really looking forward to being part of See My Voice. As the Active Partnership for Gloucestershire, we want to see a county that is inclusive and accessible for everyone to take part in physical activity and sport in any way they wish. We are delighted to be working with a local partner to support disabled young people develop their leadership skills, gain a Sports Leaders qualification and find volunteering opportunities across the county.

“We hope the expansion of the programme encourages more organisations to offer inclusive volunteering opportunities.”

For more information about See My Voice, go to https://britishblindsport.org.uk/see-my-voice/

If you would like more information about the programme being delivered in Gloucestershire, contact benlangworthy@activegloucestershire.org