The Achieve programme has been running for over a year in North Yorkshire and has supported 7 12 week programmes, with 72 disadvantaged 13-16 year olds completing the full intervention. The programme is led by an athlete mentor who draws on comparisons from their sporting career to support young people in developing key skills around;
- Resilience
- Perseverance
- Persistence
- Social, physical, and emotional wellbeing
- Self-confidence
- Self-esteem
The 2020 Achieve programme was able to initially deliver face to face, but lockdown restrictions meant the programme was at risk of stopping. In order to continue to support the vulnerable young people on the programme North Yorkshire Sport took the decision to move the sessions online. Support from the school made the technology possible.
Taking the programme online meant that the participants were able continue with the programme project they had started pre-lockdown. Ironically, the project the young people had chosen to support was Eastfield Community who were struggling with isolation and socialising. This was originally set to be a face to face project around coffee mornings.
North Yorkshire Sport, along with the group, looked at how the project could still offer support to the chosen community given the new restrictions in place. The students in the group decided to make a video which shared their views on isolation and their own advice and guidance for individuals and others.
Creating the video meant the young people had the opportunity to still deliver their chosen project. The group worked with a videographer, they planned and filmed remotely and had the chance to help edit the video.
Continuing with the programme virtually meant the opportunity to support these young people was not lost. Many of the young people engaged with Achieve struggled socially, with home life, with mental health, the lockdown period created a situation which could have increased these issues. Creating the video meant that the young people themselves were supported, as well as delivering support for their community and completion of their project.
Watch the video: “Achieve: Views on Isolation – George Pindar School”
For more informaton contact :
Jody Ivel| Development Manager | North Yorkshire Sport
T: 01423 637665 | M: 07858 919427| E: jody@northyorkshiresport.co.uk