Local charity overwhelmed by number of programme sign ups
Over 300 young people from across Northumberland and Tyne & Wear have signed up to the Rise Leadership and Volunteering Programme.
The new virtual learning course, which is now being delivered online includes sessions led by Commonwealth Games Gold medal-winning gymnast, Craig Heap and world champion bobsleigh driver, Nicola Minichiello.
Rise reached out directly to young people to enrol on the programme, and asked teachers, parents, coaches, and carers to put forward anyone they thought may be interested or would benefit from taking part.
Amy Scott, Empowering People Development Manager at Rise, said: “The response we’ve had for the Leadership and Volunteering Programme has been fantastic. We were delighted that more than 300 young people from schools and clubs across Northumberland and Tyne & Wear signed up.
“Leadership and volunteering provide young people with important life skills such as communication and organisation, as well as increasing confidence and employability, so it’s great to know they see the importance and are keen to learn and develop their skills in this area.”
The aim of the Rise Leadership and Volunteering Programme is to recruit, develop and deploy volunteers aged 13-25 to assist with the delivery of sporting events, and to support other young people to be active by creating and encouraging physical activity in their school or community.
The programme, which is a collaboration between Rise and the Youth Sport Trust’s Young Coach Academy, is being delivered by knowledgeable and experienced coaches and athletes, each hosting a series of pre-recorded online sessions covering both practical and theoretical topics including ‘understanding the participants’ and ‘coaching philosophies.’ Once enrolled, participants received packs to support their studies including a folder, notepad, pen and water bottle.
The programme also offers a range of additional development sessions including interviews with Newcastle Eagles player Drew Lasker, Olympic swimmer Chris Cook and inclusive dancer, model and campaigner, Kate Stanforth, to provide the young people with further knowledge to support their learning from the online sessions.
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