Volunteering a key part of both Sporting Future and Towards An Active Nation, the Government and Sport England strategies, so it is crucial young people are engaged in it and are able to benefit from taking part. Our #TryYourKitOn campaign, aims to encourage the nation to get active this summer and volunteering in one way to get active.
Step Up To Serve was created after the Government's review in 2012 into youth social action. The #IWill campaign was launched in 2013 to help promote social action amongst 10 to 20 year-olds.
A good number of young people were getting involved by volunteering through sport and we've grabbed a quick word with a few of them to find out why they chose to volunteer in sport.
Sophie Greener, West Midlands
Why did you get involved in social action?
I used to be someone without much self-esteem and cared a lot about how I looked. I started doing yoga and found that it completely changed my way of thinking and the way I now see things. I was inspired by my yoga teacher and began running weekly sessions across Coventry for girls aged 13-19. At the session, we give young girls the chance to learn yoga and talk about positive body confidence. I love these sessions because I can really see the difference it’s making to other girls like me.
Jordan Dixon, Tottenham/Peckham, London
When did you start volunteering?
I was expelled from school at a young age and as a consequence, was moving around to a few different education centres. This is where I discovered Let Me Play, a sport, education and outreach organisation, which helped connect me to different volunteering opportunities.
What values to you try to demonstrate through your work?
I try to show that playing on a team is much more worthwhile than fighting in a gang. You can learn so many transferable and life skills by being part of a team. Although I couldn’t see these when I was younger, I definitely can now.
Luke Rees, Blaenau Gwent
How did you come to combine sport and youth social action?
I’m really in to all kinds of sports, so it’s great to have found a way to use what I love to help others. My social action journey has involved volunteering at a disabled swimming club, running a rugby club for primary school children and volunteering at the Llanhilleth Street Games.
Have your actions rubbed off on others?
Yes. One of the best things about all this is that the rest of my family have been inspired to get involved in volunteering too.
What have you gained from participating in social action?
Through social action, I’ve gained a real passion for coaching sport and seeing young children achieve their full potential. I know I’ll keep volunteering and inspiring young people to participate in sport because I’ve seen the difference it can make.
If you would like to find out more about the #iwill campaign please click here
If you are interested in volunteering and want to know more, head to the Join In website
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