StreetGames Young Volunteers Project

 

Volunteer: Ross Clarke

Project: Stoke-on-Trent StreetGames

Age: 20

 

Prior to joining The Co-operative StreetGames Young Volunteers project, Ross was a young man with severe learning difficulties and Cerebral Palsy who, despite having a real passion for sport, lacked the confidence to participate.

 

After taking part in a Sports Leaders Level 1 course that was being delivered at a local employment training programme, Ross’s enthusiasm, love of sport and talent for leadership shone through, and he began volunteering at his local StreetGames project.

 

Ross has come on a journey since joining the project in 2009. Due to his disability, he was initially quiet and self-conscious and would often hold back from being fully involved in the session. Now, he has transformed into an active leader and respected role model with a rapport with young people and project leaders alike.

 

Volunteering has made a huge difference to Ross. Not only as he has grown in confidence and maturity but is dedicated to the project and has developed a real sense of direction. Ross works hard in-between his scheduled volunteer hours to work on session planning and his communication skills have improved tenfold. From a young person not even participating in sport, he now leads sessions for up to 20 young people.

 

 

His personality and sense of humour is infectious leading many participants at the project to ask for him when he’s not volunteering. Due to the nature of Ross’s disability, he is proving to be a real inspiration to other young people with both learning and physical disabilities who can see first hand that nothing should prevent them from being involved in sport and achieving their goals.

 

As well is enabling Ross to achieve personal goals, volunteering is also leading the way for him to gain qualifications. He’s working towards his FA football coaching accreditation and community sports leadership awards with a view to pursuing a career in coaching.

 

My view: “I really enjoy volunteering, it’s brilliant. I feel much more confident and enjoy helping other young people to get more active. A lot of them wouldn’t be doing anything if they weren’t coming to the sessions I help out at. It makes you proud to be involved.”

 

David Hardwick
StreetGames Officer
T: 01782 235001

M: 07765897660

E: david.hardwick@stoke.gov.uk