The Department for Education Volunteer and Leadership programme is an investment scheme for students aged 16-25 to help support the delivery of the School Games. The focus of the volunteering investment is primarily to support delivery of Levels 1-3 of the School Games, with a focus on level 2 (inter-school competition). The funding is to help recruit, train and deploy volunteer leaders and coaches with on-going support, (to include; officials, organisers and other similar roles) to help schools deliver the School Games.
Emma-Lee Poole (Oldham 6th Form College)
When Emma first started college she was looking for things to enroll on that would develop her personal and social skills, working alongside her academic profile. She came across the Sports Ambassadors’ Volunteer Scheme which she thought looked amazing.
Emma completed 25 hours of volunteering and through GreaterSport and the Department for Education Volunteer and Leadership programme, gained a level one coaching qualification in Swimming.
During the programme she not only volunteered but made lifelong friends, improved her confidence levels and learnt lots of new skills that will benefit her in the future. Emma then gained employment as a sports leader for Oldham Sports Development and now has a job waiting for her as a swimming assistant.
Emma tells us “All of this wouldn't have happened without the wonderful support and encouragement from my teacher Suzi Foulds or the funding from GreaterSport.”
The programme has truly changed Emma’s life and she now wants to create a swimming scheme for both able and disabled, adults and children teaching them how to swim and she hopes to expand it nationwide. Before the programme she would not have even thought about doing this.