In a bid to support and encourage more young people to take an active role in their communities by harnessing the power of sport, we have extended our range of free learning and development opportunities for participants on our popular Leadership & Young Volunteer Programme.

The aim of the Rise Leadership & Young Volunteer Programme is to help each participant gain experience and qualifications to develop as a young coach, volunteer, or leader in their community, by increasing their confidence, knowledge and employability skills.

To date, more than 300 young people aged 13 to 15 have benefitted and now everyone enrolled on the programme has access to even more personal and professional development opportunities, including training workshops, CPD courses and careers guidance.

Alex King is 17 years old from Cramlington in Northumberland. He’s played rugby for nine years and joined the Young Volunteer & Leadership Programme in 2019.

Since then, he’s developed his skills and confidence in coaching through volunteering and is now studying for a diploma in sport.

Describing his experience, Alex said: “When I became deaf at the age of 5, my world changed and my confidence was knocked. It was my love of sport that motivated me to apply to the Rise programme. I was interested in coaching, being able to spread smiles and keeping people active.

“It’s been a great experience for me. I’ve recently volunteered at a summer camp organising the games area and helping to keep an eye on the children to ensure they were all safe, getting involved and having lots of fun.

“I also play and volunteer regularly for my local rugby club to support other young people into sport. The programme has pushed me out of my comfort zone and I’ve found it very rewarding.

“My confidence has improved massively thanks to the Rise programme. Just by getting involved and grasping the opportunities, I’m getting closer to becoming that coach who helps people find a sport or activity they love and now I’d like to be able to give others this experience.”

Rise is encouraging its young volunteers to take advantage of the additional training and development opportunities available through its Leadership & Young Volunteer education portal at: https://www.bookit.org.uk/list-all-events.

Amy Scott, Empowering People Development Manager at Rise, explains: “The aim of the Rise Leadership and Volunteering Programme is to develop and deploy volunteers to assist in 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 response we’ve had for the scheme so far has been fantastic with more than 300 young people from schools and clubs across Northumberland and Tyne & Wear signed up.

“There is no doubt that schools and community organisations play a crucial role in getting young people active and it’s often at these places where physical activity habits are first created.

“Leadership and volunteering gives young people important life skills such as communication and organisation, as well as increasing confidence and employability. This programme enables youngsters to create their own unique volunteering experience, based on their interests, passion and skills.

“We’re excited to be extending the learning opportunities on offer and encourage more of our young volunteers to enrol. We also ask teachers, parents, coaches, and carers to put forward anyone they think might be interested or would benefit from taking part.”

Rise champion’s the health and wellbeing benefits of physical activity and exercise across Northumberland and Tyne and Wear. We work with many local partners, including schools, colleges, local authorities, community organisations and clubs to identify and create volunteering opportunities, job opportunities and apprenticeships for participants. 

Throughout the programme everyone is encouraged to keep developing their skills.  Volunteers can gain rewards, recognition, CPD points and qualifications in a range of coaching and development areas, including First Aid, physical literacy, safeguarding and health improvement. 

For more information contact Amy Scott, Rise Empowering People Development Manager at: Amy.Scott@wearerise.co.uk.