My Coldhurst programme is about educating and motivating the people of Coldhurst and surrounding areas to work together to build a clean & sustainable living environment for the current and future generations.
The sessions at kick sonic for MyColdhurst were considerably oversubscribed for the football and in order to address the ratio of volunteers to coaching staff to young persons who attended we had to get support as quickly as possible. The management committee decided to open up volunteering opportunities to existing young people who had attended the programme over the years to help run the sessions which were very busy. The lead committee members talked to targeted attendees to encourage them to develop and learn life skills as being leaders and working in a team. This all took place at kick sonic on Sundays afternoons.
The new young volunteers had to support existing MyColdhurst volunteers and coaching staff to help successfully look after over 130 Young persons in a safe comfortable environment which encouraged participation in activities in a supportive and safe environment. We wanted to give these new volunteers essential life skills in being for themselves and also all the attendees in the following:
Improved physical health
Increased resilience and determination
Increased confidence
Increased creativity
Increased communication skills
Improved emotional well being
Increased positive citizenship
Increased planning and problem-solving skills
Some of the volunteers were also chosen to help with other aspects of life skills and a few used the MyColdhurst platform to demonstrate volunteering for their duke of Edinburgh awards at school. Many have also used it as an example in their application for sixth form colleges.. All the volunteers joined MyColdhurst as attendees when they were younger and now have helped volunteer for the organisation in their teens. We hope that they will become role models for the future community and in time help to support MyColdhurst and the wider commitment to the community.
For the bronze awards for duke of Edinburgh we had to carefully log time and ultimately help supporting statements for all the individuals. We were pleased to learn that 3 new volunteers successfully managed to obtain both bronze and silver awards. The volunteers helped to supervise football matches as referees and helped support the children in learning many of the games and activities that were on offer. Chess and draughts were a good example.
The volunteers were rewarded at an awards and meals evening that was funded by action together as a big thank you for helping the organisation.
The end result was for the volunteers to gain life experiences in team work, organising events and being able to work systematically with children in a leadership role.
One quote from our young person who attends the Sunday sessions:
" I love coming here and seeing all my friends. this is my best day ever. I really like coming here so thank you MyColdhurst!"
a parent quote:
"MyColdhurst team have a huge impact in our community. They look after our neighbourhood and provide key sporting and well being sessions for young people in the community. They are to be highly commended as the service they provide on a voluntary basis is priceless. Well done everyone!!"
The MyColdhurst team have already engaged with more past attendees and offer volunteering roles to help them improve as individuals and also encourage use as good learning outcomes for future work and possible university applications.
