Tag: new job

Photo of Charlotte Askam smiling. She is inside a sports hall.

Meet SDS’ New Events Administrator, Charlotte Askham

By William Moncrieff, Communications Coordinator 

Passionate about disability sport and providing opportunities for all, Charlotte Askham is the latest addition to the Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) cohort, joining the events team alongside Josh Thomson (Events Manager) and Kirsty Byrne (Events Administrator).  

Charlotte is a current member of the Young Persons’ Sport Panel (YPSP). Although Charlotte has only recently joined SDS, she is familiar with the events programme after playing a key role in the delivery throughout 2024. Helping out with events was an opportunity that came through being part of the YPSP, an experience Charlotte regards as being very beneficial: “I’ve definitely come a long way from where I started. I was very shy and didn’t want to put myself up for things and now I am putting myself down for anything that comes up.” 

Opportunities to get involved in SDS events and develop your skills, is something that Charlotte believes to be a key benefit of sitting on the YPSP.  

She said: “Half the stuff I have done, like going to conferences, helping with events, being that first person you see when you come to an event, that was quite scary at the start, but through working with the panel and working with other people and doing these opportunities, it has definitely helped in learning new skills.”  

“If it wasn’t for the panel I wouldn’t have done half of this,” said Charlotte.  

Charlotte also explained that there is a social benefit to the panel: “We just get on so well, even if we don’t see each other all the time, we still pick up conversations. It’s just amazing.” 

Charlotte was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome when she was in school. This diagnosis resulted in her joining the Young Start programme, which provided her with the chance to gain new skills and further her love for sport.  

“I am passionate about disability sport because I was new to having a disability so that’s why I wanted to join the YPSP and the Young Start programme to kickstart my coaching journey,” Charlotte explained. 

Charlotte Askam and Paralympian, Hope Gordon

Along with helping with events, Charlotte has become a key member of SDS member branch, Forth Valley Disability Sport, by regularly volunteering. 

“One day something just clicked and I knew that I had found my people and my passion for disability sport. I am involved with a lot of ASN/Disability sport sessions and events with Forth Valley Disability Sport and Falkirk Active Schools. It gives me a buzz that I am working in an area that I absolutely love working in. The same goes for working with SDS.” 

“From day one I knew these were my people and that’s where I belonged and I can’t thank the whole team enough for everything they have done to help and support me on this journey,” said Charlotte. 

Moving forward, Charlotte is excited to join the team: “I’m definitely looking forward to working at more events and getting stuck in with the team.” 

If you also would be interested in getting involved with SDS’ events, make sure to register your initial interest to become a volunteer or camper at this year’s Summer Camp. The Summer Camp provides both participants and volunteers with some fantastic opportunities to get involved in a week of fun and adventure throughout the Scottish Highlands, the camp takes place at Badaguish, near Aviemore, from the 9th – 11th  July. To become a volunteer make sure to register your interest by the 28th  of February, and likewise to take your first step towards becoming a camper, register your interest by the 23rd of March. 

To keep up to date with all things disability sport across Scotland, follow Scottish Disability Sport on Facebook, Instagram and X.

Photo of Grace smiling to camera. She is wearing a pink jacket and is standing in front of a river. Boats are sitting on the water and on the other side of the river is a street of multi coloured houses.

Grace Thrives in New Role as YPSP Administrator

Tell us a little bit about yourself and why you applied for the role of the Young Person’s Sport Panel (YPSP) Administrator?  

 I am currently going into my final year as a Sport Studies student at Stirling Uni.  I’m a past member of the SDS YPSP and current member of both the sportscotland YPSP and Forth Valley Disability Sport YPSP.  I’m also a FitForGirls tutor with sportscotland and a tutor with SDS. 

Growing up with a disability and participating in sport as a Para swimmer, I have experienced many different barriers and challenges which have driven my passion for inclusion and my desire to make a difference to the sporting world.  I joined the Young Start programme at a time where I wasn’t sure where I fitted in sport as I had recently dropped out of swimming but the Young Start programme and the SDS  YPSP provided me with a new purpose and a love for volunteering. The confidence I gained through the Young Start programme and the YPSP encouraged me to get involved in other opportunities out with disability sport.  When I graduate next year, I plan on working within sport fulltime. 

 I applied for the role of YPSP administrator because I wanted to give back to the panel which had given me so much. I know the importance of the role that the YPSP administrator has on the YPSP members and I wanted to ensure that the panel members get the most out of their time on the panel.  I want to ensure that the current YPSP members have the same and if not better experience than I had on the YPSP. 

 

 What have you been up to since starting the new role? Are you enjoying it? 

Since starting the role, I have been catching up on what the YPSP have done so far and what they would like to do in the future. I want to make sure I listen to YPSP members and understand the opportunities they want to participate in during their time on the panel.  I was grateful to have people who listened to me during my time on the panel.  The YPSP have been busy creating lots of videos for social media, and I have loved working with them – it is great to hear them share their story!  I also enjoyed getting to know the YPSP members and look forward to our first meeting together in July.  We also have an in-person day at the end of July, so it will be lovely to meet everyone in person.  

 

Why do you think it is important for SDS to have a YPSP?  

I’m a huge advocate for the importance of listening to and valuing the voice of young people.  I am passionate about the impact the voice of young people can have and the way we can use it to make a difference to sport.  I believe it is important for SDS to have a YPSP because it provides SDS with the chance to speak and listen to the first-hand and current experiences of people with a disability.  Young people also offer a different perspective and they are the future generation, therefore it is important that organisations like SDS ensure that their work considers the needs and interests of young people.  Having a YPSP also provides young people with the opportunity to feel like they are making a real difference to their sporting experience, their community and for those around them. 

  

Do you think this role will help you develop your skills and if so, why?  

This role will allow me to gain so many different experiences and skills which will benefit and support me in my future career in sport.  I believe that you are always growing and developing as a person and I’m excited to see what I will learn and how I will grow in this role.  One opportunity that this role offers is the chance to work directly in collaboration and partnership with both my SDS colleagues and external organisations, in order to offer a range of opportunities for the YPSP. This will provide me with the chance to learn about a range of organisations and I’m looking forward to being able to grow my network within the sporting sector. 

 

 Why do you think young people should get involved in the YPSP?  

The YPSP is a fantastic opportunity to meet other young people who have a disability and who are like-minded and have a passion to make a difference to disability sport.  The YPSP provides young people with so many different opportunities to gain new skills, knowledge and experiences which will benefit them throughout their life.  YPSP members can influence disability sport at the highest level in Scotland, and SDS welcomes and values their thoughts, opinions, beliefs and experiences in their work! The YPSP was such a positive experience for myself and I got to experience so many different things that I wouldn’t have thought possible! It gave me confidence and self-belief which has encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and try new things. The YPSP opened so many doors for me and has encouraged me to follow my passion to change sport for the better!