The world of sport provides a wealth of opportunities for young people to become involved in varied and valuable volunteering opportunities. Often the most popular option is for young people to take up coaching, however opportunities to volunteer in sport range from officiating and assisting with activity programmes, helping design a sports club’s website and even playing an integral part in running a sports event.
Volunteering in sport provides a perfect avenue for young people to get involved or stay involved with their favourite sport and get the following rewards:
- Possible membership of club or community group
- Enhanced skills and experience in a field they are passionate about
- Entry to pathways possibly leading to a career in the sport and physical activity industry
- Practical awards and certificates
For sports clubs and organisations, engaging young volunteers can be a great way to recruit a new group of volunteers, bring fresh ideas into an organisation and provides an opportunity to develop current staff and volunteers who can mentor their younger counterparts.
Attracting young volunteers and improving their experiences is a key part of both Sport 21, the national strategy for the development of sport in Scotland, and the Scottish Executive Volunteering Strategy 2004.
Youth Development Workers
Each Volunteer Centre in Scotland has a designated Youth Development whose role is to help organisations engage with young volunteers and assist young people, from all backgrounds, access valuable volunteering experiences.
Click the link opposite to contact your local Youth Development Worker at your nearest Volunteer Centre.
MV Awards
Formally known as the Millennium Volunteers Programme, the MV Awards are designed to provide official recognition for volunteers aged 16-25 living in Scotland. The Awards are certificates that are given after volunteers have completed 50, 100 and 200 hours of voluntary work. The 200 hour Award of Excellence is signed by The First Minister.
Volunteers can even get MV Award recognition for volunteering that they have already done. Any volunteering undertaken since April 2002 counts provided the volunteer was between 16 and 25 when the work was done and a written record of hours can be produced.
Benefits to volunteers includes getting concrete recognition for their hard work that will look great on a CV, having a quality volunteering experince that will be potentially life changing. Benefits to organsations includes access to free promotional material to advertise your organisation/project, free information, advice and support from Volunteer Centre Edinburgh to help keep you up to date with policy and best practice in volunteering.
Signing up is a simple process and is completely free.
If you would like to register for the Awards or would like more information, please contact your local Volunteer Centre.
Project Scotland
ProjectScotland offers you the chance to change your life and the lives of others by volunteering!
Full-time placements give you practical experience to help build their confidence and experience in areas you enjoy! At the same time you’ll be helping others, meeting new people and trying something new!
Click the link opposite to read more about the benefits ProjectScotland can bring.
- All placements are full-time (30 hours a week minimum) and last between 3 months to 1 year.
- Lots of support is given whilst you are volunteering such as a line manager, a mentor and cash.
Placements are offered with not-for-profit organisations across Scotland in loads of areas such as the arts, environment, sports and disability.
Information courtesy of www.projectscotland.co.uk
Sports Leaders Awards
Sport Leaders Awards are hands on practical training courses aimed at developing volunteers skills in leading sports and physical activity sessions. The awards are open to anyone and particpants do not need to have a sports background just an interest of working within the field, developing their leadership potential and learning new skills while gaining nationally recognised training and accreditation.
For more information on UK Sport Leaders Awards click the link opposite.
