Thanks to the ongoing support of the National Lottery Community Fund, we are delighted to welcome applications for the 2024 – 25 Young Start programme.
Purpose of the Programme
The Young Start programme will empower young people (aged between 16 – 24) living with vision impairment, hearing loss, physical disabilities and mild learning disabilities throughout Scotland to develop their confidence and coaching skills over a one-year period. The young people will gain coaching qualifications.
As part of the Young Start programme you will:
- Achieve a coaching qualification
- Meet other young people with disabilities
- Volunteer with disability sport in your local area
- Raise the profile of disability sport
- Work together with a mentor who will empower you to achieve your agreed personal development plan
Current programme members commented:
“Young Start is an amazing learning opportunity. It lets you be around like-minded individuals who share your passion. It is a starting point to let you continue on further in any career”
“Young Start is like a little family; we all want the best for each other”
Find out more about the programme by watching this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B11EN5iA17w
Who are we looking for?
- People living in Scotland
- Young people with a disability aged between 16 -24 (Participants must be 16 as of the 30th September 2024 to apply for the programme).
- People who have the ambition to achieve a Level 1 coaching qualification (or equivalent) – Please note that a Level 1 qualification is the equivalent of Advanced Higher. If you would find this level really challenging, the Getting Started programme may be more suitable for you.
- People who would like to coach/volunteer within their local communities
- People who are able to attend meetings at least every 3 months with their mentor
- People who will link with branches to support ongoing developments
- People who are open and ready to participate in all learning opportunities (People who are committed to their personal development and can attend at least three additional workshops as agreed with your mentor)
We are particularly keen to hear from:
- Women and girls
- People who belong to ethnic minority communities
- People who are living in low Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation area
What is the role of your mentor?
Mentors will meet with the coach they are working with on a regular basis. Mentors will provide individualised support that will contribute to the individual becoming a confident and competent coach; supporting them on their journey. Specifically, mentors will:
- Work with the coach on an individual basis to develop their confidence and competence in their coaching role (at least 4 meetings will be held throughout the year, one of which will be within the coaches coaching environment)
- Support the coaches to find a suitable environment in which to practice their coaching if they are not already associated with a club or programme.
- Empower the coach to achieve their goals
- Observe the coaches in their role and support them to self-reflect before offering feedback
- Enable the coach to develop identified strengths and areas for improvement within their coaching practice
- Empower the coach to complete a personal development plan
- Provide quarterly progress reports
Other information:
- Coaches who meet the expectations outlined will be able to access a budget of £200 towards coaching qualifications.
- Occasionally the relationship between the coach and the mentor simply doesn’t work. This could be for a variety of reasons including geographical, philosophical or technical. If this happens, no explanations are required form either the mentor or the coach and contact should be made with Victoria so alterative arrangements can be made.
- We are looking to develop a network of young people from across all areas in Scotland.
Dates:
- Please complete this application before the 23rd September 2024
- An introduction evening will be held online on the 30th September 2024 from 6 – 8pm
How to apply
- Please complete this Young Start Application Form before the 23rd September 2024
- An introduction evening will be held online on the 30th September 2024 from 6 – 8pm
Contact Details
Victoria Clark
Lead Mentor Email: victoria@activeadvantage.org
Tel: 07969 751 470
Alison Shaw
Education and Learning Manager Email: Alison.Shaw@scottishdisabilitysport.com
Tel: 07828 744 848